§ SIR THOMAS DEWAR (Tower Hamlets. St. George's)To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what steps are taken to ensure British emigrant ships being provided with a sufficiency of lifeboats and life-belts; and will he say whether such vessels are allowed to proceed to sea with more passengers than the ship's boats will accommodate.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The emigration officers of the Board of Trade, before allowing any British emigrant ship to proceed to sea, are required to satisfy themselves that the boats, life-belts, and other life-saving appliances on board are strictly in accordance with the statutory rules made under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, which are laid before Parliament before coming into operation. Under these rules the total boat capacity may not be equal in some instances to the number of persons on board, but an approved life-belt is required for each person on board.