§ Mr. EMLYN-JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade why, since the passing of the Fees (Increase) Act, the number of outdoor and transmission officers at our shipping ports has been reduced; whether he is aware that such officers hitherto employed in preventing illegal boarding of steamers, instead of being in attendance on the docks, are now employed in many cases inside the Board of Trade offices at the various ports; and whether this has been done under instructions from his Department?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe outdoor staff of the mercantile marine offices at the ports was reduced about two years ago in order to reduce expenditure, and the services rendered to ships and seamen had to be curtailed. The officers whose services were retained are employed, under instructions from the Department, on indoor or outdoor work as may be required.