MR. PHILIPPSI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that from recent shipwrecks many bodies have been washed up on the coast of Pembrokeshire with life belts on, but without means of identification; and whether he could issue a regulation that all life belts should have the name of the ship to which they belong printed on them, or whether he will recommend to shipowners the advisability of their adopting this plan, with a view of obtaining evidence of identification in cases of shipwreck?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEMy attention has been called 1086 to the matter referred to in the Question. The Board of Trade are informed that in many cases it is customary to mark a vessel's name on her life belts to prevent theft, but, if the belts are covered with canvas, it has been found that long exposure to the sea often renders the marking illegible. I have no power to make any regulations on the subject, but I shall place myself in communication with the shipping interest with regard to the honourable Member's suggestion.