§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of lifeboat stations using non-self-righting boats of the Liverpool type; the amount allocated yearly by the Government to the Royal Lifeboat Institution; whether the Government is represented on the governing body of the institution; and if he will state whether, in view of the recent disaster at Rye, he intends taking any action to have this type of boat abolished?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSI am informed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution that 23 lifeboats of the Liverpool type are on service on the coasts of the British Isles. No financial contribution is made to the Institution by the Government. The Government do not nominate any representative on the governing body of the Institution, but the Hydrographer of the Navy and the Admiral Commanding Reserves are ex-officio members of the governing body. The Board of Trade have ordered an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the casualty to the Rye lifeboat, and the Inquiry will cover the question whether the casualty was due to the particular type of lifeboat employed.