§ Mr. WILLIAM BROWNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the criticism expressed by representatives of the shipping industry regarding the proposal to reduce the freeboard of tankers and of the opposition to any reduction of the freeboard of tankers from this authoritative source, he will instruct the Government's representatives at the forthcoming international conference on the load lines of merchant ships to oppose any alteration of the load line that would have the effect of reducing the margin of safety for this class of vessel?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI am not aware of the criticisms to which my hon. Friend refers, but it can be taken for granted that the proper freeboard for tankers will be fully considered by the forthcoming international conference on its merits, and that no alteration will be made unless the conference is satisfied that it can be made with safety.