§ Mr. COURTHOPEasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether a notice requiring fishing boats to carry lifebuoys was issued by the Marine Department of the Board of Trade in December, 1908; if so, what steps were taken to bring it to the notice of boat owners and fishermen;
1958Wwhether it can be or will be enforced; and (2) whether he will introduce a Bill to amend Section 375 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, so as to require all fishing craft, other than open boats, to carry lifebuoys?
Mr. BUXTONA placard impressing upon owners and skippers of fishing boats the necessity of providing lifebuoys was issued in 1908. Copies were sent to all the ports, with instructions that one copy was to be displayed in the local office and others placed where they would be likely to come to the notice of fishermen. This notice will be re-issued at once. There is no power at present to compel lifebuoys to be carried on fishing boats, but the question whether the law should not be amended in this respect is being considered.