HC Deb 14 February 1895 vol 30 c759
SIR D. CURRIE (Perthshire, W.)

I beg to ask the right hon. the President of the Board of Trade a question, of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether in view of the feeling and judgment evinced amongst shipowners, shipmasters, underwriters, pilots, and others connected with British Shipping, hostile to the application of the proposed Washington Regulations for fog-sound signals at sea, he will be pleased to appoint a Committee of Members of the House to receive and consider the arguments and evidence against these proposed Regulations which the Shipping interest desire to submit to the House of Commons.

MR. BRYCE

The matter to which my hon. Friend refers has, no doubt, a technical aspect; and I am quite willing that it should be sifted thoroughly to the bottom in any manner which would be satisfactory. If my hon. Friend will move for a Committee I shall not oppose it.

*MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Is the House to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has receded from his previously expressed determination to carry into effect the Regulations issued by the Board?

MR. BRYCE

No, Sir; the House is to understand nothing of the kind.

*MR. BOWLES

Then what is the use of a Committee?

[No reply was given.]

SIR D. CURRIE

I beg to give notice that I will move for a Committee at an early date.