§ 6. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the recommendation of the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom that similar regulations with regard to the safety and load-line conditions should be imposed upon foreign vessels trading in British waters; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that precisely similar conditions in this respect should apply to British and foreign vessels trading in British home waters?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as to the second, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Merchant Shipping Act, 1932, which gives effect to the safety and load-line conventions as regards British ships registered in this country and other ships when in British ports.
§ 12. Sir BASIL PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Government to put in force the Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, including the Reversal of Helm Orders, without waiting for the ratification of the United States of America?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe are in communication with a number of countries as to 1092 the date of coming into force of this Convention and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.