§ 8. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to cases of inefficient sound apparatus carried in many steamships for the purpose of giving the authorised warning signals in fog under the international regulations for the prevention of collisions at sea; what steps are taken to inspect and test this apparatus; and, in the case of foreign ships, whether any international action is possible where the apparatus is known to be defective or inefficient?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSA general complaint as to the inefficiency of whistles on some ships was received by the Board of Trade from a shipmaster a short time ago, but as particulars were not given, it was not possible to say how much foundation there was for the complaint. On passenger ships the sound signal apparatus is inspected every year. In the case of cargo ships it is inspected at the time of registration and afterwards as opportunities occur, or when there is any reason to think the apparatus may he defective. All foreign ships in British ports are subject to inspection like British ships, and compliance with the requirements of the international collision regulations can be secured either by reference to the proper national authority, or, if this should be necessary, by detention.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the hon. Member look into the question of a more frequent inspection, 1517 especially of cargo vessels, and, also regular inspection of their sound apparatus?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThere is some difficulty in that respect, because cargo vessels may be absent from this country for very considerable periods.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERCan the hon. Member say whether there has been any increase in inspectors in the last four years? There was a move to increase the number.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI must ask for notice of that question.