HC Deb 10 April 1957 vol 568 c1111
3. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that neither fishery cruisers nor cargo vessels are required to carry inflatable rubber life rafts; and if he will take steps to alter the relevant rule so as to make it obligatory for them to do so.

Mr. Watkinson

All fishery cruisers and a number of cargo vessels either carry inflatable life rafts or have them on order. The question of making the carriage of inflatable life rafts obligatory is at present under discussion with the shipping industry.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister recall that in an Answer which he gave to me recently, he said that there was some difficulty about getting these inflatable rafts, and will he consider that in the context of the wreck last week, rescued men from which said that they would have perished had it not been for the covered inflatable rafts? Will he so alter the rule as to ensure that inflatable rafts should be not only inflatable but covered inflatable rafts?

Mr. Watkinson

I think that most of the modern types of inflatable raft have this covered shelter which does so much to save life, and I will certainly do what I can to get as many of them in use as quickly as possible.

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