§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSON (Middlesbrough)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that seamen are continually making complaints with regard to the scale of provisions supplied to them on British merchant vessels, and whether he can state if the Board of Trade is prepared to introduce a measure with the object of establishing a scale of provisions which will prevent scurvy and such like diseases, and give more satisfaction to our mercantile marine.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)I am not aware that seamen are continually making complaints with regard to scales of provisions on British merchant ships. They have certainly not made them to the Board of Trade, and I am not prepared to propose any alteration of the law on the subject which leaves the scale to be settled between owners and masters and their crews.
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONWill the right hon. Gentleman cause inquiry to be made at the Mercantile Marine Offices as to whether complaints are made or not?
§ MR. RITCHIEI shall be glad to investigate any complaints, but I am not going to invite them.