MR. CORRYsaid, he would beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, in reference to the opinion expressed in the Official Report of the investigation into the loss of the London, that a great annual loss of life might be avoided if the deep-load line were permanently marked on all Vessels, he will bring in a Bill requiring the deep-load line to be permanently marked on all Vessels carrying Passengers and Merchandize?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONSir, the point referred to by my right hon. Friend has been frequently considered, but the difficulty would be insuperable of adopting any general rule applicable to all ships by which Government officers should determine the deep-load line of a vessel, or how deep she may lawfully be immersed in the water. The Government have, therefore, no intention of bringing in a Bill requiring the deep load-line to be permanently marked on all vessels carrying passengers and merchandize.