§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, respecting the 20 Chinamen engaged on board the "Linden Hall," of West Hartle-pool, at Poplar, on 17th Sptember last, of whom 18 did not produce continuous discharge books, he will state how many of the deck hands were qualified able seamen; what steps, if any, were taken to ascertain the nationality of the men; whether they had a sufficient knowledge of the English language, and whether they were efficient sailors and firemen?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Chinese seamen engaged on the steamer "Linden Hall," who did not produce continuous discharge certificates satisfied the superintendent of the Mecrantile Marine Office, Poplar, by means of other documentary evidence such as separate discharge certificates that they were efficient deck hands or firemen. None of the dcek hands, however, could prove a title to A.B. rating. All the seamen engaged possessed a sufficient knowledge of English.