§ 70. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to ascertain the opinions of shipmasters and others as to the advisability, in the interests of safety of life at sea, of altering Sub-section (e) of Article 2 of the Regulations for preventing collisions at sea so as to make it compulsory for steam vessels to carry two mast-head lights instead of optional; and, if the general opinion is favourable to the change, whether he will take the necessary steps to give effect to it?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Robertson)Steps have already been taken to ascertain the opinion of shipowners, shipmasters, and other interests concerned on the question of making the second masthead light for steamships compulsory; and in conformity with Article 14 of the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea, steps will be taken towards obtaining the assent of the countries which are parties to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea to the alteration of Article 2 of those Regulations.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put it on the Paper.