Sir MARK SYKESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will print and publish a précis of the reasons which actuated the Board in raising the load line, especially the load line of old vessels; and whether he is prepared to issue such précis to the public or, in the alternative, arrange that such précis be accessible for public inspection at convenient dates and times?
Mr. BUXTONThe modification of the tables of freeboard made in 1906 was due principally to alterations in the types of vessels and improvements in ship construction, which had taken place since the time when the original tables of freeboard were framed. As the hon. Member is aware, the question of the load line is the subject of inquiry.