§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will approach the Government of Tonga and ask whether they wish the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction conferred upon the High Court of the United Kingdom 71W by the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, and the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958, respectively, to be extended to Tonga by Orders in Council.
§ Mr. SandysWith regard to the part of the Question relating to the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction conferred upon the High Court by the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, I am consulting the Government of Tonga and will write to the hon. and learned Member as soon as I receive their reply.
The Government of Tonga do not wish the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958, to be extended to Tonga by an Order in Council. As the hon. and learned Member will be aware, this Act gives effect to the provisions of the International Convention relating to the limitation of the liability of owners of sea-going ships. The Government of Tonga have informed me that they intend to replace their own Shipping Act by further Tonga legislation which will incorporate the provisions of the Convention.