§ 42 and 43. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping (1) whether the certificate of the steamship "Clydesdale" to carry 168 passengers, contingent on the deck space not being otherwise occupied, has been reviewed in recent years in the light of modern comfort and safety standards, especially in view of the fact that steerage and deck cabins are now occupied by the crew; and whether he will investigate the records of the number of passengers and amounts of cargo carried nightly when this vessel was recently on the Stornoway—Kyle of Lochalsh run, especially on 24th May, and inform the House whether the certified maximum loads can still with safety be carried in view of the vessel's age and condition;
(2) whether, during the period of her use recently on the Stornoway—Kyle of Lochalsh run, life-jackets and other life-saving appliances on the steamship "Clydesdale" were sufficient, and so distributed on board as to be freely avail- 1042 able to passengers; and whether he will take action in the interest of passengers and crew to ensure that the fullest safety precautions are always taken?
§ Colonel LlewellinI am making inquiries into the points raised in these Questions, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MacMillanWill note also be taken of the representations which have been put forward now for the past seven years about the use of this steamer, which is in a state of senility?