§ 26. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it is proposed to run the steamer "Fusilier" on the Staffa and Iona run in the ensuing summer, and that this steamer is over 40 years old and was never a satisfactory or safe boat in open waters; and will he, in the interests of safety of life at sea, see that no certificate is given for her employment on the proposed or any similar route?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Herbert Williams)I am not aware of the intentions of the owners of this ship as to her employment during the ensuing summer, but she is in possession of a passenger certificate under which she is entitled to ply on the Staffa-Iona run during the summer months in daylight and fine weather. This certificate expires about the end of next month and the ship will then have to be surveyed again before she can continue to run with passengers. I have no reason to think that she is not fit for any of the services for which her passenger certificates are in force, and the issue of new certificates will be dependent upon the Board's Surveyors being fully satisfied as to her fitness for the services for which she is intended.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the hon. Gentleman aware that on a recent occasion this boat was nearly lost when rounding Ardlamont Point, where it was lying on one side with one paddle in the air to the 904 alarm of all on board, and that on righting herself she returned without completing her journey, and eventually had to be taken off that route, which is less stormy than the route now proposed?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIf the hon. and learned Gentleman will give me full particulars, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.