§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to state the number of Lascars employed as sailors, firemen, and coal trimmers on board the P. and O. steamship "Australia," which was due to sail on the 23rd instant; whether he can state how many cubic feet of space is provided for each Lascar in the forecastle of this vessel: whether the said vessel is a British ship registered in the United Kingdom; whether 625 the crew of this vessel has allotted to them the cubic accommodation as provided by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894; and, whether he can state if the forecastle of this vessel has been inspected by Board of Trade officials during the time she has been in dock?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEI am informed that the number of Lascar sailors, firemen, and coal trimmers carried by the P. and O. steamer "Australia" this voyage is 148, with, possibly, the adition of a, boy or two. The Lascars are berthed in the poop aft. On the starboard side the space available per man is 66 cubic feet, and on the port side 64 cubic feet. The "Australia" is a British ship, registered at Greenock, and the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, requires that "every place occupied by seamen shall have for each seaman a space of not less than 72 cubic feet, and not less than 12 superficial feet." The vessel has been inspected by the Board of Trade officials during the time she has been in dock, with the result I have stated, but I wish to add that the P. and O. Company contend that the "Australia" comes not under the Imperial, but under the Indian Merchant Shipping Act. This point will be carefully inquired into, but I think it right to add that were the "Australia" carrying a European crew—in accordance with the complement usual to vessels of her size and character—the crew space allotted throughout the vessel would be in excess of the statutory requirements.
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONArising out of the Question, may I ask the President of the Board of Trade whether section 210 of the Merchant Shipping Act does not provide that each seaman shall have 72 cubic feet of space; that where the law is not complied with the owners are liable to a penalty of £20 for each offence; and whether the President of the Board of Trade intends to enforce the law against this wealthy company?
THE PRESIDENT or THE BOARD OF TRADENo doubt the honourable Gentleman has quoted the law correctly, but I am advised by my advisers that no obligation rests upon the Board of Trade to prosecute in the particular case referred to by the honourable Gentleman. 626 However, the matter is now the subject of negotiations between the Board of Trade and the P. and O. Company. Of course, it may be held that the law applies to Lascars as well as Europeans; but, so far as the merits of the case are concerned, every honourable Member must know that Lascars are in a very different position to Europeans, and though 64 feet may not be within the letter of the law, 64 feet for a Lascar is certainly not less than 72 feet for a European.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Is the right honourable Gentleman aware that one of the Members of the present Administration is a director of the P. and O. Company—Lord Selborne?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That does not arise out of the Question. The Question on the paper has been fully answered.
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI wish to ask the right honourable Gentleman whether he thinks the Lascars should not have the same—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The honourable Member is now arguing on matters of opinion.
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI will put this Question down again to-morrow.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESI will ask a Question which does arise, Sir. I wish to ask the right honourable Gentleman whether he has received, or whether any complaints have been made by the Lascars in reference to these matters?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEI have not only not received any complaints, but I have no reason whatever to think that they are dissatisfied.
§ MR. GILHOOLY (Cork County, W.)Does not a Lascar come within the definition of a seaman under the Act?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! Notice must be given of that Question.