19. Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDasked the President of the Board of Trade why the rule as to wireless installations has been limited to ships carrying over fifty people; and whether, with a view to greater safety at sea, the rule will be extended to include ships carrying a less number than fifty persons?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Burns)Fifty persons is the limit fixed by the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea, and by such legislation in other countries as exists on the subject of the provision of wireless telegraphy on merchant ships. The Bill now before Parliament is solely intended to give effect to the Convention, and while it may be desirable at some future date to reconsider the limit fixed, I do not think it would be practicable to adopt a lower limit at the present moment.