§ Mr. MORTONasked how many Europeans by ratings, executive officers and others, were employed on board Peninsular and Oriental steamers; what Europeans were paid only 1s. per month; and what payment was made to cadets on the s.s. "Palma" and to native boys as apprentices on other vessels?
Mr. BUXTONThe statistics asked for by my hon. Friend are not readily available, and as the company owns more than seventy ships, would take considerable 1649 time and labour to compile. If, however, my hon. Friend will name a date or period for which he desires the information with regard to a few specified vessels, I will endeavour to obtain it. The s.s. "Palma" carried four cadets on her last voyage and five on the previous voyage. The wages paid were 1s. per month. I have no information regarding native boys as apprentices.