Captain A. EVANSasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of officers in the Mercantile Marine, including deck and engine departments, who are at present unemployed; and whether, in view of the disability of these men with regard to unemployment benefit, any steps will be taken to assist cases of distress?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have no exact information as to the number of officers of the Mercantile Marine who are at present unemployed, but I am aware that it is considerable. The Board of Trade have no funds at their disposal for the relief of cases of distress, and I am afraid that the unemployment of persons outside the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Acts is not confined to officers of the Mercantile Marine.