§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the official definition of the words "tons burden" used in the Merchant Shipping (Certificates) Bill, Clause 1, Sub-section (1), paragraph (b); and whether the provisions of this Bill will apply to home-trade vessels, such as dredgers, tugs, etc., which are neither home-trade, passenger, nor cargo vessels?
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Mr. ROBERTSONThe expression "tons burden" has been defined by a decision of the High Court to mean the "registered tonnage" of a "ship" as defined in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, or such tonnage as a ship would yield after measurement and deductions according to the prescribed rules. As at present drafted, the provisions of the Bill would apply to all home-trade ships of 200 tons burden and upwards, other than home-trade passenger ships. The point raised by the hon. Member shall receive consideration.