§ SIR EDWARD GOURLEYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state the nature of the regulations (promised early in the session) which he intends to formulate for the purpose of enabling shipowners to obtain a rebate in light dues when carrying apprentices; and, will he further state, whether any and how many shipowners have intimated their intention of complying with the Act.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe regulations to which the hon. Member refers were issued in March last. Copies were sent to Shipowners and Shipmasters' Associations and to the Local Marine Boards. In fact, every possible step was taken to secure publicity. I shall be happy to furnish the hon. Member with a copy of the regulations in question. No special intimation has been made to the Board of Trade as to the extent to which shipowners generally are likely to avail themselves of the provisions of the Act as regards boy sailors.