§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSHasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether all ship classification clubs are merely for purposes of insurance; and, whether, as almost all the matters connected with merchant shipping are now regulated by the Board of Trade, 301 he will consider whether it is not advisable that a more strict survey and classification of all merchant vessels should be placed under the supervision of the Board of Trade?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINSir, the clubs mentioned in the Question do exist chiefly for purposes of insurance. As regards the proposal to secure a more strict survey and classification of all merchant vessels under the supervision of the Board of Trade, I am not prepared to propose any legislation which would so largely increase the duties of the Board, and so largely interfere with private responsibilities.