§ Mr. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether complaints have been received from Lascars and other foreign seamen to the effect that they are ill-treated on British ships; and, if not, whether he has any official information showing that such ill-treatment generally prevails, and showing whether the strict enforcement of the regulations as to cubic contents of space and the like would result in increase or diminution in the employment of Lascars and foreign seamen in the British mercantile marine?
Mr. TENNANTThe Board of Trade have no reason whatever to believe that Lascars or foreigners or any other class 717 of seamen are generally ill-treated on British ships, and no complaints to this effect have been received. The regulations applicable to Lascars as to crew space and other similar matters are strictly enforced at the present moment.