17. Captain ARTHUR EVANSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a coloured seaman, in possession of a passport signed by the governor of British Somaliland bearing the inscription British Passport Somaliland Protectorate, together with a certificate entitled Certificate of Nationality and Identity issued to a Colonial Seaman, is regarded by the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Committee as having proved his British national status as affected by the conditions operating under the terms of the British Shipping (Assistance) Act?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)The question whether a, seaman is or is not a British national is not one which the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Committee have any authority to determine, but I am advised that a British passport or a certificate of nationality and identity issued by the Governor of British Somaliland is evidence that the person to whom that passport or certificate was issued has the status either of a British subject or of a British protected person as recorded therein.
Captain EVANSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that coloured men in certain instances possessing the docu- 794 ments named in the question have had them withdrawn by the police authorities, and alien cards substituted? If I send him particulars, will he be good enough to look into the matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI shall be glad to look into it, but I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that this is a matter which concerns another Department, not the Board of Trade.