§ MR. HARRIS (Tynemouth)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the appointment of a third-class surveyor of customs (late a laboratory chemist) to be Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, Receiver of Wrecks, Registrar to the Royal Naval Reserve, Registrar of Shipping, and Collector of Customs at Middlesbrough; and whether he will consider the advisability, in the interests of shipowners and seamen, of withholding in this instance the appointments issuable by the Board of Trade under sections 246 and 566 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
(Answer.) I have ascertained from the Board of Customs, that the gentleman referred to in the hon. Member's Question 1512 was appointed Collector of Customs at Middlesbrough after careful consideration of his qualifications. The Board of Customs tell me that they have satisfied themselves that the Gentleman is, in respect of ability, knowledge, and experience, competent to fill the post of collector, and they feel assured that he will prove himself equally competent to discharge any other duties, usually fulfilled by a Collector of Customs, which may be entrusted to him by the Board of Trade. In these circumstances, I should not feel justified in withholding my sanction to his appointment under sections 246 and 566 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, as Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office and Receiver of Wrecks at Middlesbrough. (Board of Trade.)