20. Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENasked the President of the Board of Trade how many foreign ship-owners have been summoned, during a period of 12 months to the nearest convenient date, for bringing grain cargoes in bulk to the United Kingdom without shifting boards; and in how many cases was the full penalty imposed?
§ Dr. BURGINDuring the past 12 months proceedings have been taken against 22 masters of foreign ships for failure to comply with the precautions required by the Merchant Shipping Acts when carrying grain cargoes. In all cases convictions were obtained and in 15 cases the full penalty was imposed.
Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENIs the hon. 'Gentleman aware that it is cheaper to break the law than to keep it, and does he propose to make the penalty heavy enough to deter this lawbreaking?
§ Dr. BURGINI think all that is matter for discussion. The penalty when the case is tried summarily is £100. When proceedings are taken by indictment the penalty is £300. But proceedings by indictment are not really applicable in cases against foreign shipowners.