§ Captain CUNNINGHAM-REIDasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made by the committee 378W of British ship-owning interests called together at h is initiative to study the manufacture of non-inflammable varnish for use in ships; and when the committee is likely to issue its report?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed that the committee referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, which contains representatives of shipowners, shipbuilders, underwriters and classification societies, has made various investigations into all aspects of the question of fires in passenger liners, including that of non-inflammable varnishes, and that the results are at present under consideration by a technical sub-committee. The wide scope of the question has involved extensive examination, but I understand that this is being expedited with a view to the preparation of a report at an early date.