§ 33. Mr. Benjamin Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Ali Adowa and Ali Mohamed, two firemen employed on the steamship "Baron Tweedmouth," were summoned as witnesses in an assault case at Gibraltar on 6th February and were taken off the ship on 4th February against the wishes of the master, the ship having to leave without them and without substitutes; that the men were left stranded without employment and have not received any wages as from the date they left the vessel; that they were later repatriated in a Japanese steamer which arrived in London on 16th February; and whether, as the owners of the ship will not pay wages on the ground that the men were taken ashore by the Gibraltar authorities despite the protests of the ship's master, he will have immediate inquiry made into the matter?
§ Mr. StanleyThese two seamen were subpoenaed by the Gibraltar police, and the master of the "Baron Tweedmouth" had, therefore, no option but to release them from the service of the ship. I understand, however, that substitutes were engaged. The witnesses were in the care of the Gibraltar authorities, who paid the cost of their maintenance at that port and of their subsequent repatriation to this country. As regards the men's claim for compensation, further inquiries are being made.
§ Mr. StanleyYes, Sir, I will give the information as soon as I get it.