HC Deb 11 March 1941 vol 369 cc1141-2
25. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the circumstances in which a steamer left a British port in an unseaworthy condition last month, details of which have been sent him by the hon. Member for West Fife; and what steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of such occurrences with possibly fatal consequences?

The Minister of Shipping (Mr. Cross)

I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have had an opportunity of looking into the points whch he raised in the letter to which he refers.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it still compulsory that there should be an inspection of ships before they leave port?

Mr. Cross

It depends upon the inspection the hon. Member is referring to. A certain number of inspections do take place.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the case that every ship that leaves port should have an inspection to see that it is sea-worthy?

Mr. Cross

If the hon. Member wants to know precisely how often ships arc inspected, I would ask him to put down a Question.

Mr. Davidson

Are all ships before they leave port inspected as to their seaworthiness?

Mr. Cross

Not on every occasion.

Mr. Thorne

Is the Plimsoll load line still operating?

Mr. Cross

Most certainly.