§ 43. Sir H. Williamsasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of fire disasters to modern ships, he will consider the appointment of a committee to study methods of ship design which will reduce the risk of such disasters in future.
Mr. BraithwaiteThis matter was exhaustively considered at the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea, 1948, when much higher international standards were agreed upon. These were embodied in the Safety Convention, which came into operation on 19th November last.
These higher standards apply to new ships, but British ships have, for some years, come up to them and have a very high degree of protection against fire.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs it not a fact that there have been two recent major disasters through fires on ships? Is it not time that further action was taken?
Mr. BraithwaiteI imagine that my hon. Friend has in mind the "Empress of Canada" and the "Queen Elizabeth" fires. In the case of the first, this was a very old ship, not fitted with sprinklers, but in the case of the "Queen Elizabeth," 1756 the fact that the fire was dealt with immediately and effectively and did not become serious was emphatic evidence of the improvements which have now been introduced.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWhat about the Danish ship?
§ Mr. HobsonIs it not a fact that these standards are not obligatory?