§ MR. WARR (Liverpool, Toxteth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board are prepared to assist in carrying into effect a scheme which has been submitted to them by a firm of Liverpool shipowners, who have intimated their willingness to undertake to carry on each of the vessels under their management from two to four British boy sailors, to be selected by the Board of Trade, to serve for three years, and to be trained for the Royal Naval Reserve, receiving payment from the shipowners at rates specified, the Board providing on engagement such outfit as may be thought necessary, and providing for general supervision of the boys by their officials; and whether, if the Board of Trade have not at present the requisite authority for the provision of outfit or for any other purpose connected with the scheme, he is prepared to propose legislation by which such authority will be conferred?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEI am glad my honourable Friend has asked me the Question, as it enables me to express my sense of the public-spirited action which Messrs. Elder Dempster and Co. propose to take in connection with this matter. With regard to outfits for the boys, however, the Merchant Shipping Acts give no authority for their direct provision, but I should have thought that the allowance off the Light Dues provided by last year's Act would more than cover their cost. I understand from Messrs. Elder Dempster and Co. that they do not now attach the conditions named to the employment of the boys.