§ 20. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamship "Blairholm" left Ardrossan for Iceland on 25th February, 1926, without complying with the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; and what were the circumstances under which his Department permitted this ship to sail contrary to law?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe steamship "Blairholm" arrived at Ardrossan at midnight on 25th February and sailed for Iceland in the afternoon of the following day, without engaging a wireless operator. The engagement of an operator should have been insisted on, and I am taking steps to see that similar cases do not occur in future.
§ Mr. KENNEDYWill any administrative action be taken in regard to this case?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERWe are making sure that this does not occur again. It was rather an exceptional case. She did not start from there. She was on a voyage from Italy to Iceland and put in for a few hours at this particular port. I am told that there was an attempt made to get an operator, but none was available.