§ 73. Mr. Gallacherasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that four British seamen, part of the crew of the steamship "Helmstrath," who joined the ship at Barry docks, are now stranded in Gibraltar; that the captain had them imprisoned in Gibraltar for being absent without leave for two days while the ship was in Valencia; that he then refused to take them back on the ship and that whatever wages were due will be seized for their present maintenance; and will he take steps to secure their return home before they are completely destitute?
§ Dr. BurginI understand that four seamen from this vessel were imprisoned at Gibraltar on 5th April following their conviction at the local police court, on a charge brought by the master under the Merchant Shipping Acts, of wilful absence from the ship without leave. They have now, I am informed, returned to this country.