HC Deb 26 June 1924 vol 175 cc590-1
69. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the President of the Board of Trade when a decision is likely to be taken as to the advisability of restoring the Plimsoll load-line on British ships: if he is aware of the urgency of this question: and if he is satisfied with the present survey and inspection of ships so far as seaworthiness is concerned?

Mr. ALEXANDER

The Plimsoll line has never been removed and still regulates the loading of all British ships. The Regulations have been altered from time to time, and the last alteration made in 1906, which allowed some modern ships to load more deeply, was challenged on the ground that it caused danger to life. The matter was investigated by a committee, who found that the revised load-line was on the whole sufficient to ensure the safety of vessels, although in some cases it had made the ships less comfortable. The committee prepared revised Regulations which had to stand over owing to the War, but these draft Regulations are being submitted to the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, on which all the interests connected with shipping are represented. I have no reason to think that the present system of survey and inspection of ships is inefficient, but I am looking into the question whether the staff is sufficiently strong at all the ports.

Mr. STURROCK

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Board of Trade, in an answer given in this House, stated that the arrangements made for the inspection of ships leaving port were not such as to ensure that a vessel could not leave port without complying with the regulations laid down, and has anything been done to make it clear that no vessel can leave a British port without conforming to these regulations?

Mr. ALEXANDER

I am quite aware of the answer of my right hon. Friend, and I pointed out yesterday that if you doubled the staff of surveyors you could not make arrangements for every ship to be inspected before leaving port, but I do feel that the present arrangement is not inefficient.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it not a fact that a British ship, after being surveyed, may leave a British port and never come back to a British port, but sail under the British flag, say, in Indian waters and be lost there with all on board. Has that happened?

Mr. ALEXANDER

On the face of it—I must look into it further—it does not seem to be the fault of the British survey staff.