§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the excitement which prevailed amongst British seamen at the Mercantile Marine Office, Poplar, on Saturday and Sunday, in consequence of the owners of the steamships "Zambesi" and "Strathness" endeavouring to ship crews of Chinamen; whether he is aware that the Chinamen in question were unable to pass the language test as required by the Merchant Shipping Act; whether it has been brought to his notice that, when Chinese crews are being signed on, duly qualified and independent interpreters are not provided by the owners; whether he is aware that these crews are being found by well-known Chinese crimps; and what action, if any, does the Board of Trade intend to take to put an end to these practices.
§ MR. CHURCHILLMy attention has been called to disturbances at Poplar on Saturday and Monday last in connection with the proposal to engage Chinese crews for the steamships "Zambesi" and "Strathness." I understand that it is the case that the leading seaman No. 1 was unable to pass the language test. There is no legal obligation on owners to provide interpreters, but care 1136 is taken by the superintendent that the various clauses in the articles of agreement are explained to the seamen by some person competent to do so before they are engaged. I have nothing before me to prove that the crews in the cases referred to by my hon. friend were supplied by Chinese crimps; but if any evidence of an infringement of Sections 111 or 112 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, is forthcoming the question of instituting legal proceedings will be considered. I may add that the recent unusual increase in the number of Chinese seamen shipped in United Kingdom ports requires and is receiving prompt and searching attention, and must be regarded as a matter of serious concern.
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Merchant Shipping Act provides that the articles of agreement shall be read over to each seaman, and that it is the duty of the superintendent to see that each man understands the agreement? Is he aware that No. 1 leading fireman and No. 1 leading seaman were absolutely unable to explain the agreement, and will he see that proper and competent interpreters are present when Chinamen are engaged?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI can hardly pledge myself to any statement as to facts with which I am not familiar, but I can assure the hon. Member the law will certainly be enforced.
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any Report from the police authorities with regard to the disturbances which have occurred at the Mercantile Marine Office, Poplar, in consequence of the contemplated engagement of crews of Chinamen for the steamship "Zambesi" and "Strathness"; if he can state the number of inspectors and policemen who were on duty in this connection; whether he is aware that the police prevented British seamen from having access to the waiting-room of the Mercantile Marine Office, whilst the Chinamen were freely admitted; and whether he can state who gave the 1137 police instructions to prevent British sailors from using this waiting-room.
§ MR. GLADSTONEOne sergeant and six constables were on duty at the Board of Trade Office, Poplar, on Monday afternoon; and this number was increased owing to the gathering of a considerable crowd, to three inspectors, two sergeants, and thirty constables, in order to enable the police to maintain order. At the request of the superintendent at the Mercantile Marine Office, the police secured admission to the office for nineteen Chinamen who were desirous of signing on. The police did not knowingly prevent any British seamen who had business there from going into the waiting-room, but in such a case there must always be some difficulty in distinguishing individuals who are there on business from the rest of a large crowd.