§ Major GLYNasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the term "lascar" has come to *be used indiscriminately of all natives of India who earn their living at sea; whether, seeing that unless the distinction is made public a grave injustice will be done to a large class of Indians, including Goanese, who have given gallant service to the country in the late War and in times of peace, he will issue a state-men confining the term to the coastal seafaring people of India who are alone properly entitled to it, and have always been reliable and efficient seamen?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe Secretary of State is fully aware of, and is glad to testify to, the gallant and valuable services of Indian seamen, both in war and in peace. He thinks it probable that the popular use of the term "lascar" to include all natives of India who serve in any capacity on board ship may have obscured distinction between the seamen proper, who are a hereditary class, and the firemen and attendants on passengers. But as the term "lascar," though it appears in the British and Indian Merchant Shipping Acts, has never been legally defined, it is not possible for the Secretary of State to comply with the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.