§ MR. GOURLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade, If the load-line required to be painted on the sides of ships, in accordance with the Act of 1876, is to be regarded as a salt or fresh water line; and, if the latter, to ask if the owner is at liberty to submerge it when loading in fresh water; and, if he will state in detail the principle of the policy governing the action of the Board of Trade in the marking of the load-line at home and abroad, distinguishing between the rules (if any) regulating the load-line of wood and iron sailing ships, and also those of coast and over-sea steamers?
§ SIR CHARLES ADDERLEYThe hon. Member has only to refer to the Act of last year to see that it expressly 552 refers the load-line to salt water. He might also recollect that, in passing that Act, Parliament carefully avoided allowing Government to fix any load-lines, but imposed the duty on shipowners, and, therefore, the Board of Trade has made no rules regulating the marking of load-lines.