HC Deb 06 May 1909 vol 4 c1336W
Mr. HAVELOCK WILSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will ascertain from the medical officer who examined the deck-hand Hasip bin Mat, who died from consumption on the steamer "Bloemfontein," of London, on 16th January, 1909, as to whether he could not detect symptoms of consumption in this seaman prior to his joining the vessel; and, if so, why he was permitted to engage; whether the Board of Trade or the Indian Government have any regulations prohibiting the engagement of Asiatics on vessels trading in latitudes above 38 degrees north and 38 degrees south in the winter months; and whether he can state under what circumstances this vessel was permitted to take a Lascar crew to New York in the month of December?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Inquiries shall be made into, the points raised in the question, and the result communicated to my hon. Friend.