§ Major GLYNasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of ships flying the British flag that have been lost, or so badly damaged as to cause serious loss of life, the result of going to sea in 39W ballast insufficient to ensure proper stability; and whether, since the Plimsoll load-line is compulsory to prevent a ship being unduly loaded, he considers it necessary to issue Regulations to fix a similar load-line to ensure adequate ballasting?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Return of Shipping Casualties for 1926 (51-116-0-27). He will see on page 2 a table giving the main causes of total losses of, and serious casualties to, vessels. In that table there is one case of improper stowage or ballasting. The question of establishing a light load-line was considered by a Select Committee of the House of Lords in 1903, and that Committee came to the conclusion that they were unable to recommend the adoption of a light load-line. I do not think that the experience which has been gained since would lead to that opinion being modified.