§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether Clause 3 of the Merchant Shipping Acts Amendment Bill is intended to compel foreign as well as British ships, loading at British ports, to conform to the regulations of the Board of Trade; and, if so, whether the Government is prepared to accept any foreign legislation or regulations of a like nature, which might be made applicable to British vessels loading at foreign ports?
§ *SIR. MICHAEL HICKS BEACHClause 3 of the Merchant Shipping Acts Amendment Bill would appear to be intended to compel foreign as well as British ships loading at ports in the United Kingdom to conform to regulations with respect to loading made by the Board of Trade for preventing loss of life at sea. The Government would have no reason to object to the application of similar regulations to British vessels loading in foreign ports.