MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can explain the present position of the proposed new rule of the road at sea, and the purpose for which the Papers relating to that subject have been by command laid upon the Table of the House; if the rules were presented to Parliament with a view to their discussion before their final adoption; whether they are subject to the disapproval of the House, as is the case with Papers laid upon the Table for a fixed number of days under Statute; and whether Her Majesty's Government will afford any facilities for the discussion of the rules before their adoption?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideThe Papers referred to were laid upon the Table of the House of Commons to show the present position of the proposed amendments to the rule of the road at sea. The answer to the last three paragraphs is in the negative.