§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, before deciding to withdraw the shipping licences from Mr. Maurice Vos, of Liverpool, he was given an opportunity of meeting any of the complaints made against him; whether, previous to the final inquiry, he had been cautioned as to his conduct or as to the manner in which he carried out the work of shipping superintendent; whether he is aware that Mr. Vos has the full confidence of his committees; and whether he will give him an opportunity of meeting the charges made against him before finally depriving him of a means of earning his livelihood.
923 (Answered by Mr. Bonar Law.) No charges against Mr. Vos have been made or published by the Board of Trade, nor have they discussed with him the reasons for the withdrawal of his licences, which contained a clause to the effect that they might be withdrawn at any time without any reason whatever being given. The Board of Trade, after careful consideration, came to the conclusion that it was not desirable that Mr. Vos should continue to act as their licensee, and they therefore withdrew his licences under the clause to which I have referred. The Board do not propose to take any further steps in the matter.