§ MR. HAYELOCK WILSON (Middlesbrough)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, upon 5th August 1898, the President of the Board of Agriculture, replying 1229 for the President of the Board of Trade, stated that in every case of a violation of Section. 210 of the Merchant Shipping Act, the Board of Trade disallow the deduction from tonnage; and whether, although the P. and O. steamship "Australia" did not comply with this section of the Act, she was allowed to sail without the deduction from tonnage being disallowed?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEYes, Sir, my right honourable Friend quite correctly stated the position, in replying to the honourable Member's Question, on the 5th August last, and the general instructions to the Board of Trade Surveyors are to disallow deductions from tonnage when Section 210 of the Merchant Shipping Act is not complied with. But, as I explained fully to the House last night, a conflict has arisen between the Imperial and the Indian law on this subject, and, pending its settlement, a deduction was not insisted upon in the case of the "Australia."
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONMay I remind the honourable Gentleman that only within the last few days—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the President of the Board of Agriculture, replying for the President of the Board of Trade on the 8th August 1898, stated that the Board of Trade were considering the question raised with regard to accommodation for Lascars, in order to ascertain precisely the state of the law; and whether nothing has been done in this matter until a few days ago; and whether he can explain why no steps were taken to fulfil the promise given to the House by the President of the Board of Agriculture?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEYes, Sir, I am quite aware of the terms of the reply given to the honourable Member's Question on the 8th of August last by my right honourable Friend, and the Board of Trade have taken, and are taking, every possible step to fulfil the promise then made.