53. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the right hon. Gentleman what provision has now been made for ensuring the safety of passengers in the event of another "Titanic" disaster; if it is possible to provide boat accommodation for all passengers and officers and crew, with a reasonable prospect that such boats can be lowered into the water; and, if not, if he will consider the desirability of prohibiting the cumbering of the deck with large lounge chairs, and provide suitable seats which could be formed at short notice into commodious rafts?
Mr. BUXTONThe new rules for lifesaving appliances, which are now in operation, require all foreign-going passenger steamers to carry boats sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board, and they also require efficient means to be provided for lowering all the boats into the water.
Mr. CATHCART WASONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases, even if sufficient boats are carried, it is absolutely impossible to lower them, and will he not do away with this stupid system of covering the decks with boats?
Mr. BUXTONUnder the new rules they will have to see that the boats can be properly and efficiently lowered.