§ 51. Mr. N. MACLEANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has given consideration to the proposal that he should require all vessels, including fishing vessels, to be equipped with line-throwing apparatus; and when be proposes to take action in the matter?
§ Dr. BURGINThe present statutory rules require that all sea-going vessels of 500 tons gross or over, except fishing boats, and all passenger ships, whatever their tonnage, engaged on international voyages, shall carry line-throwing apparatus. The information available does not suggest that any extension of these requirements is necessary.
§ Mr. MACLEANIn view of the loss of life in connection with these fishing vessels during the past winter, and the spring of this year, does not the President of the Board of Trade consider that some alteration in the statutory law is now necessary?
§ Dr. BURGINAs the hon. Member himself appreciates by the supplementary question, there could not in any case be an application of this rule to fishing boats without legislation. The whole matter of this line-throwing apparatus is constantly under consideration, and I will bring what the hon. Member has said to the notice of the President of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the hon. Gentleman bring it to the notice of the President of the Board of Trade before next winter comes in and try and save a few lives?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that the Act was promoted by Mr. Ammon, formerly Member for Camberwell, who investigated all these matters very carefully indeed before he brought the Bill forward?