HC Deb 31 July 1911 vol 29 cc10-2
Mr. HUNT

asked the number of Chinese sailors employed on British ships during the year 1910?

Mr. BUXTON

I am unable to state the number of Chinese sailors employed on British ships during the year 1910, but statistics showing the number of Chinese and British seamen engaged at ports in the United Kingdom during the years 1908, 1909, 1910 were circulated with the Votes on 18th July in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Monmouth Boroughs, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. HUNT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any official information showing whether Chinese sailors on British ships get the same wages as British sailors doing the same work; and whether the cost of the food of Chinese sailors employed on British ships costs the same amount of money as the food of British sailors?

Mr. BUXTON

As regards the wages of Chinese and British seamen, I do not think I can usefully add to the information contained in the answers given to the hon. Member for the West Toxteth Division of Liverpool on the 18th April and the 4th May last, of which I am sending him copies. I am unable to give any reliable estimate of the cost of the food supplied to Chinese or to British seamen.

Mr. HUNT

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman takes no care at all that Chinese sailors do not supplant British sailors on British ships because they work for lower wages and undertake to do with worse food?

Mr. BUXTON

The hon. Gentleman is entitled to presume nothing of the kind. I have given the greatest consideration to the question, and I certainly have done nothing in favour of Chinamen as against British sailors. On the contrary, as far as my statutory powers go, I certainly use my efforts in the other direction.

Mr. HUNT

Has the right hon. Gentleman done nothing to safeguard British as against Chinese sailors?

Mr. BUXTON

The Board of Trade is acting within its statutory powers?

Mr. HUNT

If the right hon. Gentleman has not got sufficient statutory powers it is his business to try and get them.

Mr. W. THORNE

Do Chinamen have to undergo a medical examination to the same extent and degree as Britishers do?

Mr. BUXTON

That depends on the shipowner; it is not a matter under the control of the Board of Trade.

Mr. W. THORNE

If the British sailor is forced to undergo a strict medical examination why not the Chinese sailor?

Mr. BUXTON

As far as the compulsory examination is concerned it is not under the power of the Board of Trade either as applying to the British or the Chinese. As far as the Board of Trade is concerned we do not insist on a greater medical examination for British sailors than for Chinese.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is it not the fact that the British shipowners insist on a stricter examination outside the Board of Trade, and one which is obnoxious to the men who have to undergo it.

Mr. BUXTON

My hon. Friend is referring to the examination of the Shipping Federation which is not under the control of the Board of Trade.

Mr. JOHN WARD

Was any medical or language test applied to the train load of Chinamen taken right across the country to be shipped at Cardiff?

Mr. SPEAKER

Notice must be given of that question.