§ 38. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the principle and organisation which govern the registration of British ships, and also on the number and kind of ships which have hitherto applied, and which are now applying, for registration by the British Ship Classification Society, Lloyd's Register of Shipping.
§ Mr. NeaveThe qualifications for ownership of British ships, the obligation to register them, and the procedure involved, are set out in Part I of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. Registration under the Act is a function of Government. Lloyd's Register of Shipping is not concerned.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that a certain foreign country which has never hitherto applied for such registration has so applied? Can he explain what advantage such a country can expect from the registration applied for?
§ Mr. NeaveThe hon. and learned Member must distinguish between registration under the Merchant Shipping Acts and classification under Lloyd's Register, which caters for ships of all flags in this respect. As far as the advantage is concerned, I must make it quite clear that ships classified by Lloyd's Register, including those sailing under flags of convenience, are required to conform to safety standards in exactly the same way as ships registered elsewhere.