§ 25. Mr. EDEasked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to frame revised regulations for the Mercantile Marine on the basis of the reports on manning and steering gear; and whether any legislation is required to implement the recommendations in the report?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANRevised instructions on manning are in draft and will be referred to the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee shortly. As the hon. Member was informed in a reply to a question on 25th February, no new legislation is necessary for this purpose. As regards steering gear, revised regulations cannot be prepared until the Supplementary Report promised by the 1612 Steering Gear Committee has been received. That question whether legislation will be required to carry out the recommendations of the committee is under consideration.
§ Mr. EDEIn view of the very great anxiety that exists with regard to this matter, can the right hon. Gentleman give any approximate date when the Regulations will be actually framed?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir, I cannot give any accurate date, but the matter is being pushed on.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOh, yes.
§ Mr. GARRO-JONESDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that he undertook to give consideration to fishing vessels, and can he now say whether they are to be included in the draft Regulations?