Major PALMERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the cross-Channel paddle steamer "Pas do Calais" has recently been examined by his Department; whether he is satisfied as regards her seaworthiness; her age; and how long it is proposed to allow her to be used?
§ Mr. BALDWINAs stated, in reply to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Acton (Sir H. Brittain) on the 21st February last year, the steamer "Le Pas de Calais" sails under French Merchant Shipping Law and Regulations, which, under an arrangement made with the French Government several years ago, are recognised as being substantially equivalent to our own. Under this arrangement, the Board of Trade accept the passenger certificate issued to the vessel by the French authorities, after compliance with French Merchant Shipping Regulations. No inspection of the "Pas de Calais" is, therefore, made by the Board's surveyors. The vessel is about 23 years old.