HC Deb 27 May 1903 vol 123 cc22-3
MR. DOUGHTY (Great Grimsby)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of placing fishermen on the same footing as other seamen in the Mercantile Marine by remitting the fee of 6d. charged to them for signing the ship's log book at the offices of the Board of Trade when they join or leave their ships, in view of the effect of this charge upon the working of Sir Edward Fry's award in the fishery dispute of 1901.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BONAR LAW,) Glasgow, Blackfriars

The arrangement made by the Board of Trade in connection with Sir Edward Fry's award is a purely voluntary one, and was agreed to on the express condition that the additional expense incurred should be met by the imposition of a small fee on each engagement or discharge. The Board of Trade will consider whether it is possible to make any reduction in the fees charged without imposing an obligation on public funds.