§ LORD MANCROFTasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it should not now be obligatory for all British ships carrying twelve or more passengers to have their life-boats equipped with Fleming or Viking Mariner gear as well as oars.
EARL FERRERSLifeboats with a capacity of 60 persons or more must be fitted not only with oars but also with a motor or "other approved means of mechanical propulsion". These means include the Fleming and Viking Mariner gear, among others. Some smaller lifeboats are similarly fitted. This requirement is the outcome of full discussion by the experts at the international safety conferences of 1948 and 1960.
The main need for a lifeboat is to be able to get a safe distance from the ship. Mechanical propulsion is not essential for this purpose at least for the smaller sizes of lifeboats. If lifeboats scatter, rescuing becomes more difficult, and it is usually desirable for lifeboats not to attempt a long voyage.
House adjourned at ten minutes past ten o'clock.