§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has made inquiries in regard to the percentage of British merchant seamen stated in the Report of the United States Government Commissioner to have deserted in Pacific ports in the year 1903; and whether he has determined to take steps to prevent shipowners from profiting by such desertions.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. Box AR LAW,) Glasgow, BlackfriarsThe subject of my right hon. friend's Question is receiving careful consideration, but it involves points of legal difficulty upon which the Board of Trade are consulting the Law Officers of the Crown. I cannot make any further statement with regard to the matter at present.