§ MR. GRENFELL (Buckinghamshire, Wycombe)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Petroleum Acts only empower harbour authorities to make by-laws regulating the import trade in the highly inflammable oils such as benzine, naphtha, motor spirit, etc., to which the Acts apply; and that, although equal risks are attendant upon such oils when taken out of or in transit within the port, no regulations or precautions can be enforced for preventing vessels engaged in these operations from becoming a danger to the shipping and property in the harbour they are 236 using; and whether there is any prospect of a Bill being brought in to deal with this important matter at an early date.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) I have had under my consideration the question of extending the power of harbour authorities to make by-laws under Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, 1871, but I fear that there would be no opportunity for legislation this session. The matter shall not, however, be lost sight of.