§ GENERAL OWEN WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, in view of the recent disastrous collisions at sea during thick fogs, any alteration of the existing Law is in contemplation; and, if not, whether he will take into consideration the advisability of introducing a measure which will insure that, in cases of loss of life or property occasioned by steam vessels running at undue speed in thick or foggy weather, the commanders of such vessels shall be subjected to greater penalties than can at present be imposed?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINUnder the existing law, steam vessels are required to have both a steam whistle and a fog horn; they must go at a moderate speed, and sound their whistles frequently. Any master neglecting these rules is liable to prosecution, and any collision caused by such neglect is considered to 200 occur by the wilful neglect of such master.
§ In reply to a further Question from General OWEN WILLIAMS,
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINsaid: I do not think any case for the alteration of the existing laws has been made out.