HC Deb 13 July 1926 vol 198 cc212-3
9. Mr. HAYES

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Depart- ment has collected information on the methods of boarding-house keepers in securing engagements for Arabs and other coloured seamen on ships signing articles in British ports; and whether he is satisfied that no malpractices or undue influences exist with the view to creating a preference for coloured seamen over British seamen by those responsible for the engagement of crews?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Complaints of offences by boarding-house keepers in the matter of supplying Arab and other coloured seamen reach the Board of Trade from time to time, and all such complaints are investigated. Proceedings are instituted when the evidence is sufficient to justify this course.

Mr. HAYES

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the proceedings instituted are a sufficient check to what is obviously a very bad practice?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE.LISTER

They are the only check we can have. The difficulty is, as the hon. Member will appreciate, that sometimes where, apparently, the evidence justifies the prosecution, the Arab evidence has broken down.

Mr. HAYES

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea of the number of prosecutions that have taken place?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I could. They are not very numerous. If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will give him the information.