Mr. MacGHEEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the premises now occupied by the staff of the mercantile marine office,. Mariners Parade, Liverpool, are totally inadequate for the work to be performed there in connection with the engagement and discharge of crews of British ships; whether he is aware that immediately opposite to the mercantile marine office there is a large Government building, known as the old post office, at present only partially occupied; and whether he will take into consideration the advisability of utilising some portion of the old post office for the purpose of furnishing adequate accommodation for transacting the business in connection with the engagement and discharge of crews?
Mr. BUXTONI am aware that the premises now occupied by the staff of the Central Mercantile Marine Office at Liverpool provide a somewhat limited accommodation, but under the present arrangements for transacting the business of the Mercantile Marine Office, no serious inconvenience has arisen as yet on that account. I will, however, take into consideration, in conjunction with the First Commissioner of Works, the advisability of utilising some portion of the old post office as additional accommodation for the staff of the Mercantile Marine Office.