§ 54. Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any information as to the total number of Lascars employed in British shipping, and as to the character the Lascars have borne as able seamen according to the records of the Board of Trade?
Mr. BUXTONThe total number of persons comprised under the head of Lascars, who were returned as employed on ships registered in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, during the year 1910 was 43,934. The term "Lascars "in these statistics includes Asiatics and East Africans, whether British subjects or foreigners, employed on vessels trading between India and the United Kingdom, or entirely in Asiatic or Australian waters, and serving under agreements which terminate in Asia. The Board have no records which would enable a comparison to be drawn between Lascars and any other class of seamen, as to the character they have borne as able seamen.
§ Sir J. D. REESAm I to understand that in the right hon. Gentleman's Department the term Lascar connotes any Asiatic blood or birth?
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes it or does it not connote any Asiatic blood?