§ Commander Sir EDWARD NICHOLLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to stop the paying off of British crews on British ships on the Continent between the Elbe and Brest, when the vessels are bound, after discharging, to the United Kingdom to load, in order to prevent undesirable aliens, enemy and otherwise, again taking the place of British seamen, and to give the British seaman a better chance of employment?
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§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Board of Trade have no power to prevent the discharge of British seamen from British ships at a port within the limits named in the question, if such discharge is permissible under the articles of agreement. If British seamen desire discharge in the United Kingdom, this can be secured by a stipulation in the articles of agreement. The claim that seamen are entitled to discharge abroad, under the articles of agreement, is frequently made by the men themselves, and, as stated, the Board of Trade cannot prevent it. The prevention of engagement of undesirable aliens is being carefully considered.