§ 16. Viscount CURZONasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the increasing employment in British ships of Arab seamen, as well as natives of West Africa and West Indies, many of whom, on arrival at a port in the United Kingdom, are discharged, resulting in the foundation of large and very undesirable colonies, particularly in Cardiff, Glasgow, and Liverpool; and whether he will give consideration to the desirability of these men being signed on under the regulations governing the 2024 engagement of lascars, thus ensuring their being returned to the country of their origin?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI was not aware that the employment on British ships of Arabs and other native seamen was increasing. This question, which is one of great difficulty, has been under consideration for some time, and certain steps have been taken, for instance, Arabs engaged at Aden are now signed on lascar articles, and some Colonies have passed legislation placing on the ship the obligation to repatriate native seamen engaged in the Colony. It has to be remembered that many of these natives are British subjects and some are now domiciled in this country.
§ Viscount CURZONWhat possible reason can there be for discriminating as between Arabs, and why are they not all on the same footing? Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the very serious riot amongst the Arab community of Cardiff only last week-end resulting in several casualties?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEYes. The reason for differentiating between the Arabs is that some of them were British subjects, entitled to the rights of British subjects, and others were not.
§ Viscount CURZONIs it not a fact that the Arabs at Aden are British subjects?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEYes, that is true, but those are specially dealt with under an Ordinance of the Indian Government. It is a very long matter to deal with by question and answer. You have to go into the whole question of the legislation which is passed in order to deal with this matter, and you cannot deal with it by any single regulation.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a great deal of unemployment among white seamen in our ports, and that it is very irritating to them to see black crews being continually shipped?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMECertainly, and that is why, in consultation with the Home Office, for the last two years, we have been taking every possible step to meet the case.