§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any reason why the recommendations of the Committee on Manning, which were published in 1896, have not been carried out.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe hon. Member does not appear to be aware that an Act was passed in 1897, and instructions to the Board's officers issued under it, to carry into effect the two recommendations of the Committee which commanded unanimous agreement—namely, to provide for the detention of undermanned ships, and to secure a minimum effective watch. Steps have also been taken to introduce continuous discharge certificates for seamen, and to encourage the employment of boy sailors. With regard to other recommendations of the Committee, great differences of opinion were disclosed, and the Board of Trade did not consider that a sufficiently clear case had been made out to make an attempt to deal with them desirable.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman induce the Government to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the matter?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir; I see no necessity for that.