§ Mr. HASLAMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interests of the seamen and of the national health, he will at an early date take such steps as may be necessary to amend the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, Section 160, and the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, Section 34, so that British seamen suffering from venereal diseases shall not, incur the disabilities and penalties indicated in such Sections?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe Board of Trade propose to include a Clause amending Section 34 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, by deleting therefrom the reference to venereal disease, in the next general Merchant Shipping Bill that is introduced into Parliament. I am advised that Section 160 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, is not applicable in the case of seamen suffering from venereal disease.