§ MR. TANKERVILLE CHAMBERLAYNE (Southampton)I beg to ask the President of the hoard of Trade if he will consider the advisability of recommending shipbuilders (or of compelling them by legislation if that course should be deemed preferable), to construct, steamers with overhanging or raking stems as formerly, inasmuch as in the event of a collision the damage sustained from a vessel so constructed is almost always confined to those parts above the water line, whereas with the present ram-shaped bows a ship run into is almost certain to sink?
§ MR. BRYCEI should be very unwilling to interfere with the discretion of shipbuilders or shipowners, or to offer them advice as to the construction of their vessels. I would remind the hon. Member that the question of a sloping as opposed to a straight stem was brought by a witness under the notice of the Royal Commission on Loss of Life at Sea, but the Report of that Commission 1086 did not contain any recommendation upon this point, nor in fact, any reference to it.