HC Deb 10 April 1930 vol 237 cc2344-5
34. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the trouble last week in Hull with unemployed seamen, in which the police had to intervene, owing to the signing on of Arabs as firemen in the steamship "Hesleyside"; if he is aware that the British able seamen in this ship refused to sail with the Arab firemen an d eventually British firemen were engaged; and whether he is satisfied that the existing law regulating the registration of alien Arab seamen is being observed?

Mr. CLYNES

I have obtained a police report of the incident referred to. From it I understand that there was no disturbance calling for police intervention. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it was only the good temper and good behaviour of the men which avoided a disturbance, and, with regard to the last part of the question, will he inquire into the very successful system in force at Antwerp with regard to registration of these men which prevents trouble?