65. Vice-Admiral Sir R. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade if, he will state by what authority the ships of the Patriotic Steamship Company's fleet fly the red ensign; what is the nationality of the directors; whether the shares are held by British subjects; whether any of the officers or men on board the ships are British subjects; and, if so, how many in each ship?
§ 66. Mr. A. HERBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Greek Patriotic Steamship Company fly the red ensign but carry no British officer; has his Department any record of legal action recently taken against the Greek captain of the ss. "Sheffield" of the Patriotic line; and, if so, of what nature?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe Patriotic Steamship Company is a Greek, not a British company, and vessels owned by the company are therefore not entitled to British registration or to fly the British flag. As the company is a foreign one, I 463 am not in a position to give the information asked for in the latter part of the first question. The master of the "Sheffield," named Evangelinos, who claims to be a naturalised British subject, was recently sentenced to five years' imprisonment by His Majesty's Supreme Court at Constantinople for rape.
Sir R. HALLMay I ask whether the s.s. "Sheffield," belonging to the Patriotic Line, was flying the red ensign at the time she was under this man's command?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am not quite certain what the position is about the "Sheffield." As far as I know, it is not owned by the Patriotic Line. It appears, from the latest particulars, to be on time charter. I am, however, making further inquiries.