CERTIFICATES OF BRITISH REGISTRY. LORD MUSKERRY: My Lords, I beg ask Her Majesty's Government to Presented (by command), and ordered whether, in view of the war between to lie on the Table. NAVY (HYDROGRAPHER'S REPORT). Spain and the United States, they will take measures to prevent Spanish and United States vessels obtaining provisional certificates of British registry; Report on Admiralty surveys for the such certificates and the power of flying year 1897. the British flag being only intended for Presented (by command), and ordered use during the war? My Lords, during to lie on the Table. the late Græco-Turkish War a number of I Greek vessels applied for. and obtained | greater interests, that practice could be provisional certificates of British registry discouraged and prevented. They are from our Consuls. They did not com- now in communication with the Board plete the registration. They simply of Trade, considering the matter, to see if made use of our flag during the war for any precautions can be adopted which will their protection, and the moment the effectively prevent the merely colourable war was over hauled down the British transfer of ownership, without creating ensign and hoisted the Greek flag again. undue difficulties in the way of ordinary In fact, one Greek vessel came into Car- commercial transactions. I have no difdiff flying the English ensign, and left ference in point of principle with my flying the Greek flag, the war having noble Friend in this respect, and if we fail ceased during her stay at Cardiff. think, my Lords, no British certificate of ultimately to satisfy him, it will rather registration should be granted to any be because we are not able to discover ship that is not at least commanded and the means of baffling the innumerable officered by British subjects. We are modes of counterfeiting and evading the neglecting our shipping interests shame- law which, under such circumstances, may fully, and giving every facility to foreign be expected to be employed; but I gather vessels to compete with us. I am afraid, from the tone of my noble Friend's my Lords, that if we were ever so unfortunate as to be at war with a strong remarks that he wished to go further, naval Power we should suffer from this and wished to use this prerogative of the neglect very seriously. We have plenty Government for the purpose of insisting of warships, but how about the men to that there should be a certain number of man them? We have to fall back on the English commanders and of English mercantile marine to make up for any crews. That, he will observe, is a very losses through war, and we have also to much larger question. It belongs really depend on the mercantile marine for to that class of controversy of which some our supplies of food. The true granary of us are old enough to remember the of England is, I think, her ships. As last remains, when the Navigation Laws long as we keep command of the sea were abolished. Without entering upon there is no need for State granaries at a discussion which could hardly be taken all. Also, my Lords, this mercantile satisfactorily on so small an issue, and marine to which we shall have to look without pronouncing anything dogmatiin case of war-I may call it the First cally, I think I may fairly say this, that Reserve of the Empire has been neg- if we alter our policy in that respect it lected, and I make the first move in the should be on a larger scale, and with a interests of and to safeguard the ship- more definite view of what we are doing, ping in some way. I strongly urge that than if we were merely to attempt to Her Majesty's Government should forbid enter upon a small portion of it by any certificates, either provisional or diverting this power possessed by the otherwise, of British registration to be Roard of Trade to an object for which it granted to any ships which are not at was not intended. Therefore I do not least commanded and officered by British think that in our communications with subjects. I beg, my Lords, to ask the the Board of Trade we shall attempt to question which stands in my name. compass the setting up of what I think my noble Friend called the First Reserve THE PRIME MINISTER (The MARof the Empire, in the shape of merchant QUESS of SALISBURY): My Lords, Her ships entirely manned and owned by Majesty's Government are very sensible Pritish subjects. That question is a very of the importance of avoiding a mere large one, and I do not think it will be colourable transfer of register of owner-desirable to touch it further. ship, and would be very glad to adopt any plan by which, without injury to House adjourned at 4.40. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Friday, 13th May, 1898. GLOUCESTER GAS BILL. As amended, considered; to be read the third time. GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY MR. SPEAKER took the Chair at AND MIDLAND AND GREAT NORTHERN Three of the clock. PRIVATE BILL BUSINESS. RAILWAYS JOINT COMMITTEE BILL. As amended, considered; to be read the third time. BILL. [H.L.] TORRINGTON AND OKEHAMPTON Reported, with Amendments; Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. Read the third time, and passed, with GAS LIGHT AND COKE COMPANY BILL. Reported; Report to lie upon the Table. Amendments. NOTTINGHAM CORPORATION BILL. Read the third time, and passed. DUBLIN SOUTHERN DISTRICT TRAM WAYS BILL. MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS. As amended, considered; to be read pany (Limited) of certain redeemable the third time. shares issued by them, and to authorise the creation and issue of new preference shares in exchange for the shares redeemed; and for other purposes." WIRRAL RAILWAY BILL. [H.L.] Also a Bill intituled An Act to authorise the Wirral Railway Company LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER Read the first time; and referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills. MILFORD DOCKS BILL. [H.L.] Read the first time; and referred to Bills. to make an extension railway and other the Examiners of Petitions for Private works in the county of Chester; and to abandon the railway authorised by the Act of 1895; and to convert their debenture stocks; and for other purposes." LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER . Also a Bill intituled "An Act to BLACKPOOL IMPROVEMENT BILL. [H.L.] Read the first time; and referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills. PROVISIONAL ORDER BILLS. |