§ MR. J. STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether anything has been done by the Board of Trade to put a stop to the dangerous practice of racing steamers on the Thames and elsewhere?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideI have been in communication with the Thames Conservancy on the subject to which my hon. Friend refers, and several convictions for reckless navigation on the river have recently been obtained. I have urged that proceedings should be taken in every case in which there is sufficient evidence, and that the maximum penalty should be pressed for. In one case of reckless navigation in London last month I ordered an investigation, which resulted in the suspension of a master's certificate for three months; and in a recent case of collision through racing in the Bristol Channel a master was ordered to pay £125. The Board of Trade have also warned the several Thames Companies of the extreme danger of reckless navigation, and I am glad to say that in each instance I have received the most satisfactory assurances as to the future.
§ MR. MACFARLANE (Argyll)Has the Board of Trade had its attention called to the enormous crowds of passengers on these steamers? Do they not exceed the number allowed by the Board of Trade certificate?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThat does not arise out of the question on the Paper. There is a question dealing with that point down for another day this week.