§ Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that when the Scottish Oriental Company transferred their fleet of steamships trading in Chinese waters to German ownership, German shipmasters and officers were immediately put in; and whether he will 750W make inquiries if it is a general or invariable rule that German masters and officers are employed in vessels flying the German flag?
Mr. BUXTONI have no information with regard to any change of officers on the transfer of the fleet of the Scottish Oriental Company to German ownership. I stated on the 23rd July that I was making inquiries on the matter.