§ MR. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade will he explain why there is no notice of floating derelicts made in the Board of Trade Notices to Mariners which is issued monthly; and 279 will he supply this deficiency by quoting from the wreck charts published at Washington, U.S.A.?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideIt is not correct to suppose that the Board of Trade Monthly Notices do not include information as regards floating derelicts. Numerous notices are received by the Board of Trade regarding such vessels, and they are sent immediately for publication to The Shipping and Mercantile Gazette and Lloyd's List, which has a large circulation. I propose to continue this system, which works satisfactorily; but I am advised that it would be misleading to encumber the publication with information as to the precise position of floating derelicts, which change their position in consequence of winds and currents.
§ MR. MACDONAIs it not a fact that within the last few days a derelict, during the recent storm, was noticed on the north-east coast? Is nothing to be done, in the interests of our sailors, to remove that danger?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI am unable to answer the question as to fact. This is the first I have heard of it. But if it is the case it is the duty of Trinity House to clear all derelicts out of British waters; and they do that duty more effectually than the authority of any other nation.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)May I ask whether it is the duty of Trinity House to discover derelicts?
§ MR. MUNDELLANo. Trinity House remove them when they are reported to them. They take great care to discharge their duty.
§ MR. MACDONAWill the Government report to Trinity House that there is a derelict off the coast of England?
§ MR. MUNDELLAIf the hon. Member will give me particulars I shall be happy to send them to Trinity House.