§ 3.15 p.m.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that the "Lakonia" complied with the following regulations provided for in the 1960 Convention on Safety of Life at Sea: Chapter 3, Regulations 4, 15, 19, 22, 26 and 31.]
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD DILHORNE)My Lords, the 1960 Convention is not yet in force and the "Lakonia" was not therefore obliged to comply with any of the provisions referred to by the noble Lord. The only obligation on the Greek Government was to see that the vessel complied with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1948, and the "Lakonia" cleared from Southampton on production of a valid safety certificate issued under that Convention together with a valid load line certificate issued under the International Load Line Convention, 1930. These documents, which were issued on the authority of the Greek Government, certified that the "Lakonia" complied with the safety standards laid down in these two Conventions, to which both the United Kingdom and Greece are parties.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord for his Answer.