§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he can state whether any communications passed between the Board of Trade and the India Office from the 9th of August 1898 up to and including the 9th of January 1899 with regard to the accom- 1325 modation of lascar seamen on British registered vessels?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIANo written communication has passed on this subject, but on behalf of the Board of Trade inquiry was made orally, and after reference to the Government of India, I informed the Board that the matter remains under the present law—that is, under the Indian Merchant Shipping Acts of 1857 and 1876.