§ Mr. HAVELOCK WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state at what port the "North Gwalia" engaged her crew on her last outward voyage; whether at the mercantile marine office or on board; how many deck hands were signed on; how many produced continuous discharge books; how many had three years' previous sea service; how many ordinary seamen were carried, and what previous sea service, if any, they had; whether the boatswain and carpenter were able to prove three years' previous sea service; how many firemen and trimmers produced discharge books, and what previous sea service, if any, they had; and whether he can state if the crew were supplied by agents of the Shipping Federation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe ss. "North Gwalia left Sunderland on her last outward voyage on 24th April, 1909. Her1976W crew were on a running agreement opened at Middlesbrough on 7th January, 1909, and had been engaged at a mercantile marine office, and not on board the vessel. At the time of her departure from Sunderland the vessel carried a carpenter, a boatswain, three duly qualified A.B.s, a sailor, and two ordinary seamen; two firemen and trimmers; and five firemen. Only three firemen, one A.B., and one ordinary seaman were engaged at Sunderland, the remainder having been engaged previously. The seamen produced discharge books at the time of engagement, thus proving previous service, except the two ordinary seamen, who, however, were in addition to the minimum number of six effective deck hands. No records of the seamen's previous service are immediately available, but both the carpenter and boatswain are known to have had at least fifteen years' sea service. I was informed that the crew were not supplied by agents of the Shipping Federation.