§ Mr. HAVELOCK WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the sailors and firemen of the White Star steamer "Republic" have now been waiting for some weeks for new copies of their continuous discharge books in the place of their discharge books that were lost in consequence of the foundering of the vessel; whether he is aware that those men have had no compensation for the loss of their clothes, and, in consequence of not being supplied with their continuous discharge books, they have been unable to obtain employment; and if he can state what is the reason for the delay in the issuing of the discharge books to the men?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAn exceptionally large number of applications for full copies of continuous discharge books has been received recently from members of the crews of shipwrecked vessels, including the steamship "Republic," and they are being dealt with by the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen with all possible despatch. Between the 10th February and the 26th March, 171 applications were received from the seamen of the "Republic" and 125 books were sent out. I am in communication with the owners of the "Republic" with reference to the question of compensation to the men for loss of clothes and alleged failure to obtain employment.