§ Mr. HAVELOCK WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of deck hands who have engaged on British ships at the Port of London from 1st January, 1909, to 25th March, 1909; how many of the seamen were qualified able seamen, i.e., men who could produce certificates of discharge proving three years' sea service, as required by The Merchant Shipping Act, 1906; and the number who were signed on as deck hands or sailors, in consequence of not being able to prove the three years' service, as required by the Act?
Mr. TENNANTThe statistics asked for are not at present available, but they are being obtained from the superintendents of mercantile marine offices in the Port of London, and I will communicate them to my hon. Friend when received.