§ MR. BECKETT (Yorkshire, N.R., Whitby)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information as to the intentions of the Government in the matter of mariners' votes; and whether, in view of the fact that sailors are at present practically disfranchised, he can give any promise to introduce legislation to remove their disabilities, or at least to appoint a Committee to consider and report on the subject.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSMy right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. It would be difficult to deal with the case of mariners apart from that of other classes of persons who are absent from home on duty on the polling day. It would not be practicable for the Government to introduce legislation on the subject during the present session, and I could not promise that they would propose the appointment of a Committee with regard to it, but the suggestion that they should do so will receive consideration.
MR. CATHCART WASONasked if a Committee had not already inquired into the subject and what were its recommendations.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI cannot charge my memory.
AN HON. MEMBERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of including in any legislation such classes as commercial travellers and railway drivers?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSThat is the type of persons to whom my Answer refers.