§ 58. Mr. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade why it is stated in the instructions issued to surveyors of the Marine Department (No. 1,531, April, 1913), in reference to children's life-jackets, that it may be impossible for shipowners to comply with the rules which require a sufficient proportion of life-jackets to be of a size suitable for children; in view of the admission in the same circular that two types of life-jackets suitable for children have so far been approved, will he explain why, if these two types have been approved, the Board of Trade should not specify that an approved type must be 1428 adopted; and whether he will issue amended instructions to surveyors that in all cases shipowners shall be required to carry out the rule ensuring a sufficient supply of children's life-jackets for all children carried?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)As stated in the circular, the instructions are of a preliminary character only, and they will be followed by further instructions in due course. The statement in the instructions to which the hon. Member refers was made because there was good reason for thinking that at that time (April 2nd) shipowners might not be able to obtain at once sufficient supplies of this new form of appliance. There is no intention of departing from the rule.