§ 54. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Minister of Transport what instructions, or advice, are issued to the Merchant Marine with regard to the use of kapok in life-saving equipment.
§ Mr. MarplesThe Merchant Shipping (Life-saving Appliances) Rules lay down the conditions with which kapok lifejackets must comply. They include covering the kapok by polyvinylchloride sheeting to protect it from loss of buoyancy through contamination by oil. These Rules were supplemented by a notice to the shipping industry, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. There are no other requirements or instructions about the use of kapok in lifesaving equipment.