§ LORD COLCHESTERthen asked whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to lay before the House any Consolidation and Amendment of the Laws relating to the Mercantile Marine? Their Lordships were all well aware that it was the policy of this country to encourage British shipping and British seamen, and to promote that object no fewer than ten or eleven Acts of Parliament were passed, defining and regulating the duties, powers, and privileges of the Mercantile Marine of this country. The question had come before the Board of Trade last summer, and it had been decided to consolidate the whole into one general Act. The Bill was prepared accordingly, with great care, and it had received the most minute attention from the right hon. Gentleman the President of that department (Mr. Henley.) The change of Government had, however, prevented it from being laid before Parliament. There was another subject which was of great importance also to the shipping interest—namely, the establishment of schools for seamen. Two schools were already in existence, and he (Lord Colchester) desired to know if it was the intention of the Government to continue and to extend these excellent institutions?
§ LORD STANLEY of ALDERLEYadmitted that these subjects were of the greatest importance; but as his right hon. Friend at the head of the Board of Trade 122 had given notice for Tuesday next, of a Bill for Pilotage and other cognate subjects, and as on that occasion his right hon. Friend would refer to the subject of these questions in the course of his explanations, he trusted the noble Lord would excuse him from replying on that occasion.
§ House adjourned to Thursday next.