§ 1. Mr. Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the present value of money, he will consider introducing legislation to amend Section 503 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, in order to increase the amount of £15 for each ton in respect of loss of life or personal injury either alone or together with loss or damage to property, and to increase the amount to be applied exclusively to loss of life or personal injuries in cases of limitation of liability by shipowners.
§ The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)I agree that the limits of liability laid down in Section 503 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, need to be reconsidered. But, before introducing fresh legislation, it would clearly be desirable to await the outcome of the consideration which Her Majesty's Government and other Governments are giving to the Convention on the subject of shipowners' liability which was drafted by the International Maritime Committee at its meeting in September last.
§ Mr. Knox CunninghamWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that, under the present law, if a widow and children have a valid claim for, say, £3,000 that may be scaled down to about £200 or £300? Will he also consider whether it really is desirable in cases of loss of life or personal injury to have any limitation of liability?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIt has been an international practice for a very long 1430 time to have some limitation of liability, but I agree with my hon. Friend that, among other things, the change in the value of money since 1894 makes it desirable to reconsider these figures. If we can, I think we should move with other countries.