§ Mr. Critchleyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the rescue of the complete crew of the British steamer "Pecaway," 19 in all, in the North Sea, recently, by one of the diesel-engined motor lifeboats of the German workers' cruising liner '' Wilhelm Gusttoff," after the boat operated by manual power had failed to make any progress in the heavy seas; and whether he will bring British regulations up to date by providing that all ships' lifeboats carrying 50 persons or more shall be equipped with diesel engines to make them manageable in heavy seas?
§ Mr. CrossThe question of motor lifeboats was fully considered at the International Conference for the Safety of Life at Sea in 1929, and the Regulations then decided upon were subsequently adopted by all the principal maritime countries, including this country and Germany, which are parties to the Safety Convention. The Regulations provide408W that any lifeboat for 100 or more persons shall be fitted with a motor; also that where the number of lifeboats carried is more than 13 one shall be a motor boat, and where the number is more than 19, two shall be motor boats. I know of no sufficient grounds for special Regulations of a different character for British vessels in this respect.