HC Deb 26 February 1900 vol 79 cc1096-7
MR. HAVELOCK WILSON () Middlesbrough

had on the paper the following question:—To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of sailors and firemen discharged from British registered vessels at Hamburg, Antwerp, and Rotterdam during each of the following years, i.e., 1897, 1898, and 1899; whether he can state the number of sailors and firemen engaged in British vessels at the same ports and during the same years; and whether he can state the percentage of foreigners so engaged.

On being called upon to put the question, the hon. Member said: I have received information, in reply to this question, from the right hon. Gentleman; but as I consider the matter of great importance, I should like to ask him if he is willing to supply it in the shape of a Return, so that it may be put on the Table for the benefit of Members who want to know the percentage of foreigners engaged on British ships in foreign ports.

MR. RITCHIE

There is a return which sets out clearly the number of foreigners employed on British ships. If I were to make returns of all the information for which the hon. Gentleman is continually asking me, I should he compelled to lay on the Table very much more than the House would care to have,

MR. HAVELOCK WILSON

May I, in anwer to the tight hon. Gentleman—

*MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. MADDISON () Sheffield, Brightside

Will the right hon. Gentleman furnish other hon. Members with a copy of the answer, because we are equally interested, although from a different point of view?.

MR. RITCHIE

I shall be very pleased indeed to let any hon. Gentleman who cares for it to have a copy of the answer. It is perfectly impossible to take up the time of the House by reading out all the figures for which the hon. Member for Middlesbrough asks me.

MR. HAVELOCK WILSON

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, may I ask him whether the information with which he has furnished me applies only to foreigners engaged on British ships in the United Kingdom, and not to those engaged in Continental ports.

MR. RITCHIE

The hon. Gentleman will see from the answer exactly what it is. I have given him a complete answer to the question.

MR. HAVELOCK WILSON

I shall call attention to this matter to-night after twelve o'clock.