§ 9. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the recent loss of the steamship "Radyr" with all bands was ascribed by the court of inquiry in part to the breaking in of the hatches owing to the quality and condition of some of the hatch covers; and whether he will now require that steel shall be used for exposed hatch covers on sea-going vessels and carry out more frequent surveys of the hatch covers of such vessels?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe report of the court of inquiry in this case raises several important questions which require and are receiving very careful consideration. It will also be necessary to discuss them with those concerned before it is possible to decide what action should be taken.
§ Mr. SAMUELHas not the right hon. Gentleman been warned repeatedly from these benches during the last twelve months that unless the Board of Trade insists upon strong action in the case of vessels going to sea with a low freeboard loss of life must occur as it has in this case.
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am aware that my hon. Friend has raised that question, 644 but I have explained in a previous reply that on particular proposals there was a great division of technical opinion. This point is raised in one of the last paragraphs in this report, and it will be carefully considered.
§ Mr. SAMUELBut here we have a loss of valuable lives—