HL Deb 11 August 1966 vol 276 cc1761-3

11.12 a.m.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the two last disasters to pleasure craft, they are satisfied that the existing regulations and licences that apply to such craft are adequate.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD RHODES)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have no reason to think that there is any widespread infringement of the relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts. These provisions require any ship carrying more than twelve passengers to have a passenger certificate issued by the Board of Trade after a survey by one of the Board's surveyors. The Board of Trade have taken urgent action to bring the provisions of the law to the attention of the police, local authorities, harbour masters and the public itself, and to invite their cooperation. I am sure noble Lords will join me in expressing sympathy to those bereaved by the recent disasters.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, might I ask him if he would bring to the attention of the Board of Trade the fact that there should be some legally enforceable check on the competence of crews? Further, might I ask him whether the Government would give precise instructions to local authorities as to their powers in relation to safety regulations governing pleasure craft?

LORD RHODES

My Lords, I thank the noble Viscount for his constructive suggestion. The answer to his first question is, Yes, I will. The answer to his second question is that the local authorities themselves can take powers to license craft carrying fewer than twelve passengers. But I take note of what the noble Viscount has said and will bring his remarks to the attention of the Board of Trade. We will do whatever we can to confirm the position.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord very much for that further reply, might I point out that there appears to be some confusion among local authorities—

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE EARL OF LONGFORD)

My Lords, the noble Viscount must ask a question. He must not point things out.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, might I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that there would appear to be some confusion among local authorities as to their powers of control in relation to these craft, and could the position he made more precise?

LORD RHODES

My Lords, it could be that attention is directed to the sort of power they can take. I take the point.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, will the noble Lord not agree that, although the Steam 5 regulations and similar regulations governing pleasure craft carrying more than twelve passengers are indeed careful and thorough regulations, their enforcement is distinctly patchy, and that regulating the capacity of their crews is, except in very limited localities, actually non-existent?

LORD RHODES

My Lords, that may be a valid criticism. I would point out to the noble Lord that the shortage of surveyors is acute, and it is an immense task for surveyors to cover a very wide area, especially in holiday times when there is pressure to take advantage of the season.