§ 70. Sir JOHN MELLORasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been drawn to the judgment of Mr. Justice Greaves-Lord given on 18th September, 1936, in the "La Crescenta" case; and whether, in 246 view of the comments of the learned Judge, the Government propose to amend the law relating to the maximum loading of ships.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI hope soon to be in a position to make a statement, but I cannot do so yet.
§ Sir J. MELLORIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable anxiety because the infringement of the load-line rule is punishable by a maximum penalty of only £100, and that such infringement is no conclusive evidence of unseaworthiness in a criminal prosecution?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, I am quite well aware of the anxiety on the subject, which I share myself.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it not clear that it is impossible within the existing law to obtain a prosecution in such cases, and is it not essential to amend the law?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat is one of the matters that is under consideration now. If it is necessary to amend the law, I shall make proposals.
Vice-Admiral TAYLORIs it not a fact that the number of cases where the load-line law is broken on British ships is extremely small?