§ Sir J. BUTCHERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a British merchant ship, s.s. "King Alexander," recently arrived at Constantinople from the Piræus flying the red ensign and entirely manned, with the exception of a British wireless operator, by Greeks, none of whom were either naturalised British subjects or held a British Board of Trade certificate; and whether the manning of this ship as above described is in accordance with the law and, in particular, with the provisions of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. So far as I am aware, the manning of the vessel to which the hon. Baronet refers does not contravene any provision of British law. Section 5 (1) of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, which prohibits the employment of an alien as master, chief officer or chief engineer of a British merchant ship registered in the United 2177W Kingdom, specifically excepts ships employed habitually in voyages between ports outside the United Kingdom.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether orders were given by the Foreign Office to clear on her outward voyage a British merchant ship, s.s. "King Alexander," recently arrived at Constantinople from the Piræus, flying the red ensign, and entirely manned, with the exception of a British wireless operator, by Greeks, none of whom were either naturalised British subjects or held a British Board of Trade certificate; who gave those orders, and why; whether any protests were made against such orders; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 27th June on this subject.