§ CAPTAIN DONELANI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the loss of a dredger outside Cork Harbour with twelve lives, whether she was surveyed previous to her departure by engineers or shipwrights who have had no practical experience in charge of ships, or in the actual use of boats and life-saving equipment generally, or by ex-shipmasters who, by reason of their previous service, are fully conversant with these necessary appliances, and able to judge as to their efficiency or otherwise.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe-Board of Trade surveyors who surveyed the dredger to which the hon. Member refers were a shipwright and an engineer. Having undergone special training, and being guided by definite rules, they were fully qualified to deal 1055 with the question of boats and life-saving equipments generally as well as with the question of stability.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can say what practical experience engineers possess as to the actual use of boats and life saving at sea.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThat is a question of which notice should. I think, be given.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists in the merchant service at the manner in which these ships are surveyed?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI must decline to answer this question?