§ Mr. JAMES PARKER (on behalf of Mr. William Thorne)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he could furnish a Return showing the number of Chinese seamen engaged through the mercantile marine office, Poplar, during the quarters ended 31st December, 1908 and 1909, respectively, distinguishing the number who signed agreements at the mercantile marine office from those who signed on board ship?
Mr. BUXTONThree hundred and eighty-seven Chinese seamen were engaged through the Mercantile Marine Office, Poplar, during the quarter ending 31st December, 1909, of which 304 were engaged at the Mercantile Marine Office and 83 on board. The numbers for the corresponding quarter of 1908 are: Number engaged, 358; engaged at the Mercantile Marine Office, 236; on board, 122. It may be added that of the 387 Chinese seamen engaged at Poplar during the quarter ending 31st December, 1909, 226 were for vessels lying at other ports, 161 only being for vessels within the Poplar district.