§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSON (Middlesbrough)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the reorganisation of the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and 386 Seamen; and, if not, whether he will appoint a small Committee constituted of Members of this House to inquire into the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) No, Sir. I am not prepared to propose the appointment of a Committee of Members of this House to inquire into the comparatively small questions that have arisen in the branch of the Board of Trade to which the hon. Member refers. These questions are receiving the attention of the Treasury and the Board of Trade, and I think for the present (at any rate) that that is quite sufficient.
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that the limits of the Port of London, as defined by Treasury Order of August 1st, 1883, are from Teddington Lock to the entrance of Havergore Creek in Essex, and that the situation of the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen at Westminister is within those limits, he will now take steps to retain the office at its present address.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Since the office of the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen has been removed temporarily from the City to Westminster, many complaints have reached the Board of Trade, and definite pledges have been given that other offices more suitable for seafarers would be provided. That decision will be adhered to, and I hope that an office on Tower Hill will soon be available. The Treasury Order to which the hon. Member refers was made under the Customs Consolidation Act, and applies to Customs matters.