§ 10 and 11. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether steps have been taken by the United States Government to ratify the international convention for safety of life at sea by the prescribed date?
(2) which of the signatory nations have ratified the international convention for safety of life at sea, and which nations signatory to the convention have not yet ratified?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMDenmark and the Netherlands are the only countries which up to the present time have ratified the international convention for the safety of life at sea. As regards the United States I understand that the convention has been before the Senate, but was not reported for ratification, and cannot be further considered till December.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn that case, may I ask why, if America is not going to ratify, or cannot ratify until December, we should have to do so by the end of this month?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI do not think that the two points are connected in that way. It is important that the ratification should be lodged at the earliest possible date, and to that end we are promoting legislation immediately.