§ Mr. BENJAMIN SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade, when last the Chinese members of the crew of the steamship "Glenafforic" were examined as to lifeboat efficiency in the presence of a Board of Trade examiner; whether the- same members of the crew were examined as to their understanding of orders given in English; and, if so, where and by whom were they so examined?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWhen the vessel last left the United Kingdom in October, 1936, she carried the prescribed complement of fourteen certificated lifeboatmen made up of eight Europeans and six Chinese. In September, 1936, 14 Chinese members of the crew were examined by a Board of Trade examiner 1937W in London for certificates of efficiency as lifeboatmen. Of these, six were successful, the remaining eight being rejected mainly because of their inability to understand orders in English.