§ 12 Captain MOSSasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what maritime countries have now ratified the Merchant Shipping International Conventions on Safety of Life at Sea and Load Line;
(2) the date when the United States Government ratified the international load-line convention; and can he say whether that Government have yet taken any steps to ratify the international convention on safety of life at sea, which includes the change in helm orders;
(3) if it is intended to bring the Merchant Shipping International Conventions into force in this country on 1st November next; and whether that date is dependent upon ratification by the United States Government and that of other countries signatory thereto?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1929, has been ratified by Denmark and the Netherlands. The International Load Line Convention, 1930, has been ratified by Denmark, Latvia and the United States of America. The United States deposited their instrument of ratification of the Load Line Convention on 10th June, 1931, and the Safety Convention has been submitted to the Senate with a view to obtaining its advice and consent to ratification. Several countries which have not yet ratified the Conventions have intimated that they are in a position to do so. As five ratifications are necessary to bring either of the Conventions into operation, it is proposed to make such arrangements regarding the 1614 deposit of further ratifications, including those of this country, as will bring the Conventions into operation on a date or dates which are mutually convenient to the countries concerned. The 1st November next has been suggested as suitable.