MR. J. H. WILSONTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the suffering endured by the crew of the sailing ship "Melville Island;" whether he is aware that those men complained of being short of their allowance of food, and that the men were placed on board of the vessel at Melbourne by magistrate's order, which was afterwards sot aside by Mr. Justice Cossen, Judge of the High Courts; and whether, in view of the allegations made against the master that lie had seamen smuggled on board of his ship who had deserted from a Russian vessel, he will cause a Board of Trade inquiry to be held into this matter on the arrival of the "Melville Island" In this country.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The Board of Trade have, so far, no information with regard to the case of which my hon. friend refers, but full inquiries shall be made in the matter, and in due course he shall be informed of the result.