HC Deb 21 October 1912 vol 42 cc1688-90
9. Sir HILDRED CARLILE

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the shipping companies who promised verbally to provide boats for all are now fulfilling the terms of that promise?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)

There was no promise in the matter, but practically all the companies engaged in the foreign trade informed me of their intention of providing boats for all persons on board their vessels at the earliest practicable moment. I have no information to show that any of them have failed to carry out this intention.

10. Sir H. CARLILE

asked whether the Advisory Committee were within their sights in co-opting from the outside six representatives to help to discuss and to sign the Report, thereby changing the carefully balanced composition of the Committee; and whether, in either case, they first obtained the approval of the Board of Trade to that step?

Mr. BUXTON

The procedure was not quite regular, but as in the great majority of its recommendations the Committee was unanimous, it can hardly be said that any disadvantages have actually arisen. I am quite sure that in the action which they took the Committee were solely actuated by the desire of securing the co-operation of certain persons possessing special knowledge in order to be in a position to give me the best advice with the least possible delay in view of the importance and urgency of the questions referred to them.

Sir H. CARLILE

May I take it that this Committee, in this most irregular manner, was packed by the chairman and those associated with him, thus altering the composition and the balance of the parties concerned?

Mr. BUXTON

I do not think the hon. Member is right in saying that the chairman did it. They explained what they did in the first instance, and there was no objection made at the time on the part of any member of the Committee, and they were unanimous in co-opting these members.

Sir H. CARLILE

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that in future this sort of irregularity to which he refers, and which he characterises himself as irregular, will not happen again?

Mr. BUXTON

My attention has been drawn to it.

11. Sir H. CARLILE

asked how, in view of the fact that Class VI. of steamers are permitted to carry buoyant apparatus of all sorts (excluding life jackets) for 70 per cent, only of their passengers, the right hon. Gentleman proposes to enforce the fulfilment of the conditions under which this favour is granted, namely, they must only operate in fine weather and by daylight in their short sea excursions?

Mr. BUXTON

The passenger certificate (No. III.) issued to these vessels limits their voyages as stated in the question. The conditions of the certificate would be enforced if necessary by detention of the vessel and prosecution of the master or owner.

14. Mr. CATHCART WASON

asked whether the decks of passenger ships are almost invariably blocked with chairs of various shapes; and if he will consider the practicability of prohibiting the use of the same and of substituting seats which might, when necessary, be transferred into rafts?

Mr. BUXTON

I have received no complaints about deck chairs. But I must point out to my hon. Friend that under the draft Rules each passenger ship in the home trade must, according to its class, carry a prescribed minimum amount of suitable boats and buoyant apparatus. In some cases, I understand, these chairs are themselves of a buoyant nature.