Derelicts on the High Seas.

HC Deb 15 October 1908 vol 194 cc482-3

MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the United States Government have decided to place in commission a special vessel for the destruction of derelicts on the high seas; and whether, having regard to the danger which these derelicts constitute to navigation, he will represent-to His Majesty's Government the desirability of fitting out a British vessel for similar work on this side of the Atlantic.

MR. CHUECHILL

I have seen a statement in the newspapers that the United States Government have decided to establish a special vessel for the purpose of destroying floating derelicts on the high seas. The question of dealing with floating derelicts was very fully considered by a Committee in 1894. That Committee reported to the effect that the danger from collision with derelicts in the open sea is very small, that the chance of discovering such derelicts would be infinitesimal; that the destruction of certain classes of derelicts when found is a work of great difficulty and might create additional dangers; and that the cost of such an undertaking would be out of all proportion to any possible benefit. Having regard to the Report of the Committee I am not prepared to recommend the fitting out of a vessel for the destruction of derelicts.