§ MR. HOLLANDsaid, he wished to ask the Vice President of the Board of Trade, Whether any alterations are contemplated in the Rules of Road at Sea, with a view of avoiding the constant collisions occurring under the present system?
§ MR. STEPHEN CAVENo, Sir, no alterations are contemplated in the Rules of the Road at Sea. Collisions are not caused by observance, but by neglect or misconception of those rules. The Board 643 of Trade has just completed a set of simple diagrams explaining in the clearest manner the way in which vessels should comply with the Rules of the Road under every circumstance. These diagrams are in accordance with the views of the Trinity House, and are now under the consideration of the Admiralty. We are only waiting for their official confirmation, to submit the Papers to the Judge of the Court of Admiralty and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, by whom questions relating thereto are eventually decided. When an authoritative interpretation of these rules is thus obtained, I believe that accidents resulting from misconception will be very rare. I laid on the table a few days ago Papers which fully elucidate these points. I could not now explain them further without entering into technicalities which hon. Members would find it difficult to follow, and which would carry me beyond the ordinary limits of an answer.