§ Sir B. Jannerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent boating accidents which resulted in some 46 deaths, the loss of about 150 lives in each year whilst boating in United Kingdom waters and the rescue of 1,000 persons each year, he will introduce new, or tighten existing regulations which can be applied to pleasure craft for hire.
§ Mr. JayThe provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts and Board of Trade regulations apply to ships carrying more than twelve passengers and I have taken steps recently to ensure that they are fully known and understood. Vessels plying for hire but not carrying more than twelve passengers can be and generally are controlled by local authorities, harbour authorities and others under their own powers. A working group comprising representatives of departments and organisations concerned is considering what safety appliances pleasure yachts and similar small craft to which the Board's regulations do not at present apply should be required or recommended to carry.