§ 48. Mr. Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the date of the commencement of the international conference organised by the Belgian Government and relating to the limitation of liability of seagoing vessels; and whether he will instruct the delegates of Her Majesty's Government at such conference to support the adoption of the draft convention, dated 29th September, 1955, and prepared by the International Maritime Committee, and in particular Article 3 (3) of the said convention.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Airey Neave)The conference will begin on 30th September, 1957. Consultations are taking place with the many interests which would be affected if a convention on the lines of the draft prepared by the International Maritime Committee were adopted. These must be completed before instructions are given to the delegates of Her Majesty's Government at this conference.
§ Mr. Knox CunninghamI thank my hon. Friend for that Reply, but is he aware that, unless some tonnage figure is deemed to be the minimum for the purpose of limitation, any increase in the amount per ton in the case of tugs or fishing vessels will be rendered valueless where there are claims for loss of life or personal injuries, and does he not regard a figure of 300 tons as a very fair minimum?
§ Mr. NeaveI do not think that I am in a position at this stage, when consultations are going on with the organisations representing the owners of a very wide range of small craft, to say what Her Majesty's Government's attitude at the conference will be, but I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend says.