HC Deb 15 March 1920 vol 126 cc1775-6
6. Mr. CHADWICK

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to a public speech made in Liverpool on the 3rd instant by Captain Young, the professional Member of the Marine Department of the Board of Trade, on the occasion of the annual shipmasters' dinner at which this officer was one of the two principal guests; whether the statement of Captain Young that the origin of the straight stem was the desire to reduce the cost of construction without the slightest regard for humanity represents the view of the Department; and whether statistics exist which confirm Captain Young's statement that the straight stem had been the cause of greater loss of life than even submarine warfare?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Captain Young has explained to me that his remarks, which express his personal opinion only, were not intended to be reported. I am afraid there are no statistics available which bear directly on the point referred to in the third part of the question.

Mr. CHADWICK

Can the hon. Gentleman tell me if the opinion expressed by this high official of the Board of Trade represents the opinion of his Department?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I have just said that it is his personal expression of opinion only. There is, of course, a great deal of difference of opinion on this point, and it is really one which can only be settled by expert naval architects.

Mr. CHADWICK

This statement was made publicly by a very high official of the Board of Trade, and as it is one which affects the main key industry of this country very closely, am I not justified in asking if this opinion is the opinion of the Department?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I have replied that it is only Captain Young's personal opinion. I have already said he was not aware he was being reported. He was only expressing his personal opinion, which is not necessarily that of the Board of Trade.

Mr. HOUSTON

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this is an outrageous libel on the naval architects, shipbuilders, and shipowners of this country, and should not the Board of Trade express an opinion on it?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Captain Young has expressed his regret at using unguarded language.

7. Mr. CHADWICK

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is a fact that in the large majority of collisions during the last few minutes before impact both ships with helm and propeller are tending to sheer from each other, and that there is seldom direct impact with the stem of either ship; and has he any statistics which will show the percentage of cases in which the stem of one ship has been known to cut another ship to the water-line and where such damage would not have been inflicted if such stem had receded 15 degrees from the vertical?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The statistics of collisions are not sufficiently detailed to show the angles at which collisions occur, or the precise nature of the damage done by the blow.

8. Mr. CHADWICK

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Marine Department of the Board of Trade has any powers regulating merchant ship construction where such construction is likely to endanger life at sea?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

There is no power to prescribe the form of the stem of a ship, which I presume is the point that the hon. Member has in mind.