HC Deb 24 June 1901 vol 95 cc1210-2
MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

I beg to ask the President of he Board of Trade whether he is aware hat fifteen of the crew of the British steamship "Manchester Corporation" were sentenced by the magistrates at Montreal for refusing duty in conseqence of not being supplied with sufficient food; that they were supplied with eight pounds of beef, three pounds of which was bone, for their dinner, and asked the captain for more, which he refused; whether he is aware that these men requested permission to go on shore to lodge a complaint to the proper authority, which the captain would not allow, and that the men then refused to work; that the magistrates ordered the men on board and to pay all costs or go to prison for four weeks with hard labour; and whether it is his intention to recommend to His Majesty's Government the advisability of appointing a Committee to inquire into the question of the supply of food to seamen on British vessels.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

My attention has been called to the case referred to by the hon. Member, and I have been in communication with the owners of the "Manchester Corporation" and with the Shipping Federation. The master of the vessel has also attended at the Board of Trade to explain the circumstances of the case. I understand that the accuracy of the facts with regard to the men's food as stated in the question is denied on behalf of the owners. It appears that the fifteen men demanded to be taken on shore in a body to see the consul, and that, having regard to the exigencies of the ship's work, permission was refused. As the men refused duty they were proceeded against. I have seen the official certificate of proceedings at Quebec, from which it appears that they were convicted for refusing to obey a lawful command, and were each sentenced to four weeks imprisonment. This occurred on the 13th May. Ultimately the men agreed to resume duty, and were released from gaol on the 15th May, rejoining the ship. In reply to the last paragraph of the question, I am considering the advisability of appointing a Committee to consider questions affecting the interests of the mercantile marine as a whole, but I am not yet prepared to make any definite statement on the subject.

MR. NANNETTI

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether when the inquiry is held he will take steps to get the opinion of seamen who are interested in this matter?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I am not prepared to make any statement at present.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to say what form this Committee will take?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

As I have said, I am not in a position to make any definite statement on the subject.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will it be a Parliamentary Committee?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The right hon. Gentleman has already said twice that he is not prepared to make any further statement on the subject.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

But may I ask the right hon. Gentleman—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member must accept the answer. If he wishes to ask any further question he must put it down.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

OS course, Sir, I bow to your ruling, but I submit that my question arises out of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman.

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! When a right hon. Gentleman has stated that he is not prepared to make any further statement, it is out of order to persist in asking other questions.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Very well, Mr. Speaker, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the question when the Vote for the right hon. Gentleman's salary comes on.