§ MR. RENWICK (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now prepared to appoint a Commission to inquire into the state of seamen's boarding and lodging-houses, and the conditions under which they are conducted; and whether the Board appoints any officer or officers whose duty it is to see that such houses are conducted strictly in accordance with the licences and bye-laws of the local authorities in whose districts they are situated, in view of the fact that sailors and firemen while in port are compelled to lodge in a seamen's boarding or lodging-house.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe inquiries referred to in the reply given by me to a Question put by the hon. Member on the 4th ultimo are not yet completed. On their completion, I shall not fail to consider whether any action or further investigation is required, and I shall be grateful if, in the meanwhile, the hon. Member will furnish me with any information he may have in regard to the state of seamen's lodging-houses which will assist me in arriving at a decision. The officers of the Board of Trade have access to licensed seamen's lodging-houses, but the responsibility for the 1455 proper control of such houses rests with the local authorities.