§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)asked the President of the Board of Trade when the further Report from the Committee on Signalling at Sea, in reference to sound signals in fogs, to indicate the courses of vessels, is likely to be received by the Board of Trade; whether he will take steps to obtain the completion of the inquiries and the issue of the Report in time for its results to be considered before the International Maritime Conference; and whether he will direct the Committee to obtain replies to the inquiries on this subject, not only from the shipping companies, but, so far as possible, in the case of all the companies from the captains in actual service in the employ of the companies?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHIt is not probable that the Report referred to can be received before the date of the Washington Conference. The proofs of the Revised Code have to be sent to Foreign Governments, and their criticisms have to be received and considered before the Committee can proceed further. The Committee need no direction in the matter; they have taken steps to obtain the opinion not only of shipowners, but of masters of the Merchant Service.
§ MR. CHANNINGI wish to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman would take steps to obtain—with a view to the discussions of the Maritime Conference—not only official opinions, but the opinions of sea captains in actual service, as to the use of sound signals during fogs?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHCertainly.