69. Mr. MONTAGUE BARLOWasked whether he has made further inquiries into the cases of the steamers "Ranzani," "Florence," "Bodo," and "Tasso," which, though flying the British flag, have been manned by crews wholly composed of aliens and alleged to be of alien ownership; whether he is in a position to give any further information respecting these cases; and whether any steps are being taken in preventing colourable British ownership in the case of merchant vessels?
§ Mr. BURNSTwo of the vessels mentioned in the question, the "Ranzani" and the "Florence" are no longer registered British vessels. The "Tasso," which is still registered as a British ship, opened an agreement at Piraeus in August last and the crew were then of foreign nationality. I have no information as to the manning of the "Bodo," which is 373 registered at Nassau. Where there is doubt as to the title of a ship to be registered as a British ship, the case can be inquired into under Section 51 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906.
Mr. M. BARLOWCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the "Ranzani" and the "Florence" ceased to be British ships?