§ Mr. SANDYSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to provide that the master of a British ship who wilfully or through negligence disregards appeals for assistance made by a vessel in distress at sea shall be liable to punishment or penalty for such disregard?
Mr. BUXTONI will consider whether it is necessary to amend the existing law with regard to this matter. I would point out, however, that although the Merchant Shipping Acts, do not make it a punishable offence not to render assistance when a vessel in distress appeals for it, the Maritime Conventions Act, 1911, Section 6, makes it a general duty to render assistance to persons in danger at sea.