§ Mr. M'GHEEasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the number of seamen engaged on British foreign-going ships in the United Kingdom during the first three months of each of the years 1912, 1913, and 1914, distinguishing the port of engagement, the number of such seamen who failed to join their ships, the number of continuous discharge books submitted to the Board of Trade for suspension, and the actual number of suspensions; and (2) whether he can state the number of Chinese engaged in British foreign-going ships under agreements opened in the United Kingdom during the first three months of each of the years 1912, 1913, and 1914, distinguishing the port of engagement and the number who produced continuous discharge books; and whether he can state the number of Chinese who were not allowed to sign agreements during the same periods owing to their not having a knowledge of the English language, as is required by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906?
§ Mr. BURNSThe information asked for will be available very shortly, and I will1716W arrange for it to be sent to my hon. Friend.