§ Sir E. HUME-WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade what 335W number of vessels belonging to the Southern Railway Company ply between the ports of Dover, Folkestone, Calais and Boulogne; what number of passengers each is licensed to carry; whether in licensing the vessels the Board take any and what steps to secure that proper accommodation is provided for passengers; and whether he will make inquiries as to whether or no the Southern Company habitually carry more passengers than the authorised number; and, in the event of his being satisfied that they do, whether he will order an immediate prosecution of this company?
Mr. WEBBThe following are the five steamers belonging to the Southern Railway Company which ply between Dover, Folkestone, Calais and Boulogne, with the number of passengers they are certified to carry on this service:
Passengers. "Biarritz" … 1,400 "Engadine" … 1,318 "Maid of Orleans" … 1,400 "Riviera" … 1,318 "Victoria." … 1,268 The steamers are surveyed at least once a year, and the numbers allowed are governed by regulations, of which I am sending the hon. Baronet a copy. There is no reason to think the numbers allowed by these regulations are exceeded, but it has been represented that the numbers allowed are too large, and that the regulations need amendment. This is now being considered by the Board of Trade.