§ 78. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of ships of British registry now engaged in the Pacific trade which are officered and manned almost entirely by Japanese nationals; and what are the present regulations with regard to the ownership and officering of vessels in order to enable the red ensign to be flown?
§ Dr. BURGINMy attention has been called to one ship so officered. The qualifications for owning a British ship are contained in Section 1 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, which, in general, provides that only British subjects and bodies corporate established under and subject to the laws of some part of His Majesty's Dominions and having their principal place of business in those Dominions are entitled to own a British ship and thus to fly the red ensign. The 397 Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, provide that no alien shall act as master, chief officer, or chief engineer of a British merchant ship registered in the United Kingdom except in the case of a ship employed habitually in voyages between ports outside the United Kingdom, and exception being made in favour of officers certified by the Admiralty to have performed good and faithful service in those capacities during the War.
§ Captain MACDONALDWhat action has been taken to deal with ships which offend against the regulations?
§ Dr. BURGINThe vessel in question is understood to be habitually employed between ports outside the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. THURTLEWhat national anthem is sung on this ship on formal occasions?