Mr. WEST RUSSELLasked the President of the Board of Trade the present percentage of coloured seamen and coloured alien seamen, respectively, in the British mercantile marine to-day; and how these percentages compare with similar percentages in 1913, 1921, and 1925?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHAs the hon. Member is aware, the large majority of the coloured seamen employed on British Ships are engaged under lascar agreements. These agreements do not provida for the nationality of seamen engaged under them to be recorded. The particulars desired are, therefore, not available.