§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the crew of the steamer "Lancastrian," of Liverpool, signed on at Hamburg by articles which laid it down that the voyage should terminate in a United Kingdom port; that this vessel was sold at Philadelphia to American owners; whether he has received a report from the Consul-General at Philadelphia that, although under the terms of their articles the crew were entitled to wages up to the time of their arrival in the United Kingdom, 14th February, 1922, they only received wages up to 31st December, 1921; whether His Majesty's Consul-General has been instructed to appeal against the decision of the American Court on this point; and whether he will take steps to approach the owners with a view to these men receiving their wages?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the question. The vessel was sold by order of a court in the United States, and at a preliminary hearing wages were allowed up to 31st December last. Further proceedings are 413W contemplated, and the Consul-General has undertaken to protect the men's interests. It is not proposed to approach the owners.