HC Deb 29 January 1929 vol 224 cc779-80W
Sir F. NELSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade the maximum number of passengers which each British cross-Channel steamer at present in service is authorised to carry; the lifeboat seating accommodation on each; the number of crew carried on each British steamer; and if he is satisfied that in the case of a sudden mishap to the steamer when carrying a full complement of passengers

Cross-Channel Steamers.
Name of vessel. Number of passengers and erew. Number of boats and total number accommodated. Number of buoyant apparatus and total number supported.
First. Second. Third. Total. Crew.
Alberta … 340 407 — 747 50 6 for 237 28 for 560
Ardena … 238 272 — 51037 6 for 248 15 for 300
Arundel … 436 366 — 802 47 6 for 159 43 for 698
Biarritz … 986 414 — 1,400 60 10 for 465 57 for 1,026
Brighton … 440 360 — 800 50 6 for 162 41 for 696
Dieppe … 513 341 — 854 52 6 for 160 45 for 746
Dinard … 835 444 — 1,279 61 8 for 383 48 for 960
Engadine … 700 547 — 1,247 55 8 for 242 53 for 1,060
Hantonia … 300 200 205 705 51 6 for 240 26 for 516
Isle of Thanet … 1,000 402 — 1,402 63 8 for 385 54 for 1,080
Lorina … 597 386 128 1,111 54 7 for 305 43 for 860
Maid of Kent … 1,000 399 — 1,399 63 8 for 382 54 for 1,080
Maid of Orleans … 993 407 — 1,400 60 10 for 451 55 for 1,020
Nomannia … 535 211 271 1,017 51 6 for 232 42 for 836
Paris … 529 306 133 968 60 8 for 300 54 for 760
Princess Ena … 375 125 107 607 41 6 for 234 22 for 440
Riviera … 732 586 — 1,318 56 8 for 250 188 for 1,133
St. Briac … 836 442 — 1,278 61 8 for 384 48 for 960
Vera … 470 135 138 743 50 6 for 237 30 for 600
Worthing … 580 327 133 1,040 56 8 for 296 40 for 800
St. Helier … 387 271 — 658 42 6 for 300 32 for 1,044
St. Helier … 640* 408 — 1,048 42
St. Julien … 387 271 — 658 42 6 for 300 56 for 942
St. Julien … 639* 408 — 1,047 42
* The larger numbers apply to voyages to the Channel Islands.

there is in present circumstances a reasonable likelihood of crew and passengers being saved?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The information asked for in the first half of the question is appended. It will be seen that these steamers carry boats or buoyant apparatus for all, as well as a lifejacket for each person. As regards the last part of the question, it is impossible to say what would happen in ease of accident, but it is possible to reduce the risks to life by securing a proper supply of life-saving equipment. The Board of Trade reviewed the position of the cross-Channel steamers very carefully last year in consultation with the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, and came to the conclusion, in which they are supported by the Committee, that under the present rules material is available for saving all lives in the event of disaster to the ship; that this is the maximum amount of life-saving appliances which can usefully be carried on these ships; and that there was no reason for altering the present rules relating to the life-saving appliances on these steamers.