§ MR. HOULT (Cheshire, Wirral)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the captain of the sailing ship "Primrose Hill" stated publicly, before sailing from Liverpool, that his ship had been delayed during fine weather for several days wanting a crew, which could not be supplied by the Board of Trade officials; that other persons could have supplied the crew but doing so would have been contrary to the Act of 1854; and that two days after leaving Liverpool the "Primrose Hill" was driven ashore and became a total wreck, only one of the crew being saved; and whether, under the circumstances, he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to increasing the facilities for captains obtaining crews.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURYes, Sir; I am aware of the circumstances of the case to which my hon. friend refers and of the statements made by the captain. An inquiry into the wreck of the "Primrose Hill" has been ordered, and I am informed that proceedings for libel are being taken in connection with the case. Until the inquiry has been held I can express no opinion on the point referred to in the last paragraph of the question.
AN HON. MEMBERCan the right hon. Gentleman state what proportion of apprentices was carried by this vessel, 686 and if they were so carried with a view to obtaining a reduction of the light dues?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am afraid I cannot without notice, but probably this is one of the questions being inquired into.