§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the impending trouble in the shipping industry and to the letter addressed to the secretary of the International Shipping Federation by the International Committee of Seafarers' Unions; and whether, in view of the present situation, it is in contemplation to take some action with a view of bringing the parties together?
Mr. BUXTONMy attention has been drawn to statements which have been made from time to time indicating the possibility of a strike of seamen taking place; and I have seen a copy of the letter to which my hon. Friend refers. I fear that I cannot usefully take any further action at the present time.