§ Sir B. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1929, embodies an agreement on the part of the representatives of 18 maritime powers to the institution of an international load line; if so, which maritime nations have been invited to participate in the International Load-line Conference which opens in London on 20th May next; and which of these nations have accepted this invitation?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. Invitations to participate in the International Load-line Conference have been sent to the Governments of foreign maritime countries, the Dominions, and India, and it is anticipated that the majority of these countries will be represented; so far eight formal acceptances have been received. I am sending to the hon. Member a list of the countries invited and of the acceptances received.