§ Mr. GOLDMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he had received any complaints of the unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, and bad and inadequate provisioning in the steerage quarters on emigrant ships bound for American ports; and whether he would appoint a small committee to inquire into the facts of these complaints and, if 1101 necessary, to make proposals for safeguarding the interests of poor British emigrants?
Mr. BUXTONComplaints have been received as to the steerage conditions on certain emigrant ships bound to American ports, and each case has been investigated by the Board of Trade. Great care is taken to see that the statutory regulations as to food, sanitation, and accommodation are complied with on each voyage, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by appointing a special Committee of inquiry, but I shall be glad to consider any specific case or cases which the hon. Member may have in mind.