§ Mr. T. HENDERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the growing discontent amongst seafaring men against the continuation of the Plimsoll load-line in its present position; and whether, in the interest of our seafaring community, he is prepared to consider the lowering of the Plimsoll load-line to its former position?
Mr. ALEXANDER1 am aware that there is a certain amount of anxiety on the subject of load-line. The whole question was inquired into by a Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Philip Watts, which reported in 1915. [Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 8204 of 1916.] This Committee examined the criticisms which had been brought against the load-line as altered in 1906, and found that on the whole it was sufficient to ensure the safety of vessels, although in some cases it had made the ships less comfortable. The Committee also prepared revised Tables of Freeboard, which had to stand over owing to the War, but are now being considered. As soon as the new proposals are ready they will be placed before the Merchant Chipping Advisory Committee, on which all the interests connected with shipping are represented.
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