§ 24. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the 22nd November Captain Kneller Teubenn, an alien of German nationality, was in the employment of the China Navigation Company in command of one of their vessels; whether this vessel since the beginning of the War was engaged in transporting British troops from Tientsin; whether this alien enemy is still so employed; and whether any steps have been taken to ensure that captains and officers in ships flying the British flag shall, while this country is at war, be exclusively of British nationality?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI have no information as to the alleged employment of a shipmaster of enemy nationality by the China Navigation Company, but if the hon. Gentleman would give me the name of the ship in question I would cause inquiries to be made into the matter. As regards the latter part of the question, the Board of Trade have not taken steps to prevent subjects of allied or friendly countries serving on British ships