62. Lieut.-Colonel Sir ARNOLD WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade on what date Great Britain ratified the Load-line Convention; which maritime Powers have not yet ratified it; whether omission to do so gives any advantage to shipping under these flags in competition with British shipping; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of imposing forthwith higher port dues on shipping under these flags and of amending existing regulations to ensure that effective disciplinary measures can be taken and adequate fines imposed?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe United Kingdom instrument of ratification was deposited on 1st October, 1932. Of the countries which signed the convention, Australia, Belgium, Japan and Paraguay have not yet ratified it. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative and the fourth part does not therefore arise.