§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it was a term in the contract 1244W of the passengers carried by the "Titanic" that the owners of the vessel would not be liable for any loss or damage caused by the negligent navigation of the vessel by the company or its servants, and that the dependents of those who lost their lives in the wreck of the vessel and those who lost property thereby have no right of action in respect thereof; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to place steamship companies on the same footing in this respect as railway companies?
Mr. BUXTONThe condition referred to by the hon. Member does not form a part of the Statutory form of cabin or steerage passenger's contract ticket approved by the Board of Trade under the provisions of Section 320 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. As the question of the validity of this condition may be the subject of litigation, I do not think I can properly say more at the present moment.