§ MR. H. C. RICHARDSI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that several nominees of the Board of Trade on local marine boards of the United Kingdom have been convicted by magistrates of offences under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, and the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, 1875, and whether he proposes to take any, and, if so, what action under the circumstances.
§ MR. RITCHIEYes, Sir, my attention has been called to the circumstances referred to in the question. I have intimated to those concerned that I consider such proceedings inconsistent with their position as Board of Trade nominees on bodies charged with quasi-judicial functions under the Merchant Snipping Act.