§ In reply to Mr. GOURLEY.
§ SIR CHARLES ADDERLEYsaid: The Government have no present intention of introducing a Bill for consolidating the Merchant Shipping Acts. I hope they will never attempt, by any measure, to specify in detail what is meant by seaworthiness as to model, hull, &c, or to affirm that seaworthiness should depend on any prescribed model. The erroneous information given by the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Plimsoll) in the case of the Parga. cost the country £1,239 11s. 7d. The Board of Trade have never stopped any ship named the Western Chief; but in the case of the Western Ocean. which was stopped, the sum of £600 was paid as compensation. These and all other cases are stated in the Appendix to the evidence given before the Royal Commission. There are the Somerset. £7 16s.; Effort. £40; Lady Head. £30; and Fountain. £50. The Board of Trade exercise a discretion as to the information upon which to take the proceedings which Parliament has imposed upon them by the Act of 1873, and will be cautious in acting upon information coming from quarters from which previous informations have failed of proof. Their principlo is to prosecute the worse, and clearest cases as examples, and to interfere as little as possible with the legitimate course of trade.