Mr. J. JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large number of members of the Mercantile Marine who are now unemployed, he will take into consideration the advisability of preventing the employment of Chinese crews on British ships?
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§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe prohibition of the employment of seamen of Chinese nationality, who are subjects of a friendly Government, would require very strong reasons to justify it, but the whole question is being carefully watched. Measures are being taken to relieve the situation by repatriating coloured seamen who have come to this country during the War, and are now destitute, and further action will be taken if necessary.