§ Mr. BENJAMIN SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade when last the propelling machinery of the steamship "Aruba," owned by the Hook Steamship Company, Limited, of Hull, was last surveyed; what was the nature of the report; if his department have been made aware of engine breakdowns on the same vessel during gales in the North Sea in recent weeks; what number of certificated engineers are employed on this vessel; and the age of the vessel?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed by Lloyd's Register of Shipping, with whom the ship is classed, that a full survey of the propelling machinery was carried out by them in October, 1932, the boilers were last surveyed in January, 1936, and and the propellor shaft examined in June, 1936. The reports of these surveys were satisfactory. In addition to these surveys, the machinery and propellor shaft were inspected by a Board of Trade Surveyor in the year 1933, following a stranding and a collision, and were found satisfactory. No reports of recent engine breakdowns have been received either by the Board of Trade or Lloyd's Register of Shipping. I understand that two engineers are employed, neither of whom is certificated. The ship is 20 years old.