§ 26. Mr. Dayasked the President of the Board of Trade what action the Government have taken on the report received from the League of Nations, prepared by a committee of experts, on the subject of fitting oil separators on all new vessels; and how many British ships are at present so fitted?
§ Mr. RuncimanIt is hoped that the draft convention appended to the report to which the hon. Member refers will be submitted to an international conference in due course. As regards the number of British merchant ships fitted with separators, I have no later information than that given on page 4 of the White Paper issued in October, 1933. This 954 showed that of the oil-burning and oil-carrying vessels which were the subject of the inquiries then made, 24 per cent. were so fitted.
§ Mr. DayWill the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to get the recommendation of this committee embodied in an international convention?
§ Mr. RuncimanWe have already endorsed their report.