§ 27. Mr. DAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any complaints have been made to his Department on the inefficient sound signal apparatus carried by several cargo and steam ships; can he state whether, in the recent inspection made by his Department, it was shown in any case that this apparatus was defective; what action has been taken in these circumstances; will he state the number of inspectors employed by his Department for these examinations; and whether any increase has taken place during the previous five years?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMNo complaints of this nature have recently been received by the Board of Trade, nor do I understand to what inspection my hon. Friend refers. Board of Trade surveyors have standing instructions to take every opportunity to inspect the sound signalling apparatus on ships, and where the apparatus is found to be defective immediate steps are taken to have the defects remedied. The number of surveyors employed on survey work of 745 all kinds at the ports on 1st April, 1930, was 166, compared with 170 on the corresponding date in 1925.
§ Mr. GRAHAMI should not like to reply to that off hand. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice.