§ MR. H. S. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that very great trouble, inconvenience, and misunderstanding is frequently caused at Lowestoft and other ports in consequence of vessels using signals for pilots which are really signals of distress; whether inquiry into this matter, with a view to its remedy, will be within the scope of the Commission upon Signals at Sea; and whether steps will be taken to ensure the presence at that Commission of practical seamen?
§ MR. BRYCEI have received no complaints of distress signals being mistaken for pilot signals, and I am advised that if the several regulations are complied with no confusion ought to arise. I do not know to what Commission the hon. Member refers. No Royal Commission upon Signals at Sea is in contemplation. If, however, the question 1481 refers to the proposed Committee on the Fog Signals recommended by the Washington Conference and adopted by the Maritime Powers, I do not think the matter mentioned in the question one which it would be proper to refer to that Committee, even if any inquiry into the matter were shown to be necessary.
§ MR. FOSTERThe mention of a Commission was a mistake in the printing of the question. My reference was to the Committee.