§ SIR EDWARD HILL (Bristol, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many European States do by law limit the responsibility of vessels under their flags, against which damages resulting from loss or accident are claimed, to the value of such vessels; and, whether, in such instances, all rights to recover such damages when ascertained are against the vessels only?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. G. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonI am aware that in many European States there is a law of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend, but the, exact effect of the provisions of the several Statutes is a question of difficult legal construction as to which I am not prepared to express an authoritative opinion.