§ 78. Mr. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade when the Report of the Departmental Committee on Bulkheads and Watertight Compartments will be issued; and, in the event of it not being immediately available, whether it is possible to issue at once an interim Report?
Mr. BUXTONI am not in a position to say when a Report of this Committee will be issued; and, in view of the nature of the subject matter, I do not think it would be advisable to ask for an interim Report. I am confident that the Committee will complete their work and make their Report as expeditiously as is consistent with a thorough investigation.
§ Mr. COOPERIs not this delay postponing the consideration of important recommendations in Lord Mersey's Report, which affect the safety of life at sea?
Mr. BUXTONFor the purposes of a thorough investigation a great many calculations and experiments are necessary 1862 in a matter of this sort. I know that the Committee are very anxious to produce a Report as soon as they can do so effectively.