§ 70. Mr. Costainasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now introduce new regulations in regard to the safety of bulwark ladders and stanchion combinations, in compliance with International Standardisation Organisation Recommendation R.799/68; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersNo. We do not consider that the I.S.O. Recommendation is in wide enough terms to cover the many different designs and shapes of vessels involved. However, a Statutory Instrument will shortly be laid before the House amending the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders) Rules 1965 to make compulsory the provision and firm securement of hand-hold stanchions in conjunction with bulwark ladders. This amendment will give statutory effect to recommendations contained in Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.558 issued in June.