§ MR. WILKIE (Dundee)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that as yet no adequate steps have been taken to confirm the dock regulations, with respect to ladders down ships holds, the unshipping of fore and afters, and the removal of deck winches from close up to ships combings where ladders are situated; and, if so, will he take the necessary steps to enforce the rule dealing with these questions; also when the necessary increase of the present staff of inspectors will be made in order to deal effectively with the regulations now in many cases ignored so far as the discharging and loading of vessels is concerned owing to the lack of supervision.
§ reasons, in particular the great uncertainty existing as to the cost of the increased supervision which may be necessary and the difference between different branches of the same industry in respect of gravity and frequency of accidents, make it difficult, if not impossible, to arrive at any trustworthy conclusions. Except where otherwise specified, they include the estimated increase in administrative expenses.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) As I pointed out to the hon. Member in Answer to a previous Question on the subject last May, See (4) Debates, clvi., 407. numbers 6 and 8 of the dock regulations, which are the regulations dealing with the points mentioned in the Question, do not, so far as they require structural alterations, come into force till 1st January, 1908. I have no power, therefore, before that date to compel the adoption of such alterations, though it is reported to me by the inspectors that material improvement has already been effected in regard to the matters in question. In accordance with the promise made by me, the staff is being strengthened with a view to ensuring better inspection of docks.