§ MR. HOUSTON (Liverpool, West Toxteth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a letter from the Secretary of the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association, pointing out that by the enforcement of the new Order in Council in reference to the screening of side lights in passenger vessels after the 1st of May next, while it is not enforced in vessels other than passenger vessels nor in foreign vessels, is to send vessels to sea whose lights are screened on different principles; whether he is aware that this want of uniformity is likely to enormously increase the risk of collision, with its consequent danger to life, and in the event of collision to contribute largely to contradictory verdicts in the Law Courts of this and other countries; whether he has received protests from other Associations and individuals against the enforcement of this Order; and, if so, whether he will give the names; and whether, under the circumstances, he will suspend the said Order in Council until it has received the approval of and been adopted by the Foreign Powers?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe answer to the first and third paragraphs is in the affirmative. In respect to the second paragraph there has been for some time past an entire absence of uniformity, and it is to remedy this and its consequent dangers that the Order, which was explanatory only, was promulgated. Steps have been taken to communicate it to 1501 Foreign Powers. There is no intention of suspending the Order, and I see no reason why it should be suspended.