§ Mr. HAVELOCK WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can furnish a Return showing how many seamen deserted from British ships during the years 1900, 1905, and 1908 respectively, distinguishing British and foreign seamen and the ports of desertion?
Mr. TENNANTA Return relating to desertions and failures to join, compiled from articles of agreement terminated in the years 1898, 1899, and 1900 was presented to Parliament in 1901 (Parliamentary Paper 371), of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. A similar Return for 1908 is in course of preparation, and will be issued very shortly. The preparation of a Return for 1905 would take some time, but I will consider the question of furnishing it if my hon. Friend presses for it. I may add that a Return showing the number of desertions at certain foreign and Colonial ports during the years ended 1st June, 1905, 1906, 1907, and 1908 will also be issued shortly.