§ SIR EDWARD HILL (Bristol, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the information from the shipowners as regards the condition of the Portuguese Prince, to which he referred on Tuesday; and whether he can state to the House the nature of the information?
§ MR. J. BRYCEI have received through the Shipping Federation a statement from the, manager of the, line to which the Portuguese Prince belongs. He states that a very considerable amount was expended upon the ship and engines in 1893, that it was then thoroughly overhauled by the Board of Trade Surveyor, and passed No. 3 Survey by Lloyds, and further, that the machinery was carefully overhauled and inspected, and passed by Lloyd's surveyors at Antwerp in October last. I shall be glad to show the hon. Member a copy of the statement referred to if he desires it.
§ SIR EDWARD HILLWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly say whether he has seen a copy of the rules issued by the "Prince Company" for the guidance of their officers—with respect to water in the River Plate; whether they meet with his approval, and whether he could suggest any improvement in the interests of the crews of their vessels?
§ MR. BRYCEYes, Sir; I have seen a copy of the rules referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. They seem to be drawn with proper care for the health of the crew. I am hardly prepared to say whether they are susceptible of improvement, but they certainly evince a desire to take proper precautions for the health of the crews.