HC Deb 25 June 1924 vol 175 cc435-6
73. Captain BENN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the report of the court which investigated the circumstances attending the loss, with all hands, of the British s.s. "Rawlinson," has been under his consideration; whether this steamer, prior to going to sea on her last voyage, was inspected by a Board of Trade surveyor or surveyors; whether the Board are intending to take any action respecting the animadversions of the court on the condition of the vessel on sailing; and whether the Board will, in particular, take steps to ensure that the hatches of vessels of this type are effectively covered and secured?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

The report of the court on the loss of the "Rawlinson" has been considered. The vessel was not seen by a Board of Trade surveyor when starting on her last voyage. The report of the court again calls attention to the importance of making hatches thoroughly secure, and in this agrees with the committee of experts who reported on this matter in April. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that report, and he will see that the Committee made four recommendations. The Board of Trade will use every endeavour to have these recommendations carried into effect, and in this they expect to have the active co-operation of shipowners.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Does not the answer to that question convey to my hon. Friend and to his Department the need for increasing the number of surveyors rather than decreasing them as has been done in the past year?

Mr. ALEXANDER

As I said in the Debate on the Mercantile Vote last week, the Board of Trade is considering the question of increasing the staff of surveyors, but I must point out that if you doubled the number of surveyors you could not prevent vessels getting away without being seen.

Captain BENN

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Board of Trade did all that could be done before this tragedy occurred?

Mr. ALEXANDER

This arises on a class of vessel known as a self trimmer. A Committee was appointed as far back as last December which sat for four months, and I am sending the hon. and gallant Gentleman a copy of their report.