§ 6. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a report on the enforcement during the last six months of Section 17 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1964; how many staff are employed to enforce it; where they are located; how many times and where there were offences against it; how many people were killed or injured as a result of those offences; and how many prosecutions followed.
§ Mr. MasonEnforcement is part of the duties of the Board's Marine Surveyors. Five prosecutions for offences under Section 17 have been initiated since last April. No injury or loss of life was involved. During the same period casualties to three other small passenger vessels resulted in the loss of 54 lives. In each case a Formal Investigation has been ordered.