§ Mr. W. R. Duckworthasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that considerable hardship would be inflicted on the skippers of fishing boats if the Board insist on a strict application of Rule 20 of Statutory Rules and Orders, 1938, No. 1375, which is concerned with life-saving appliances for merchant shipping; and whether, in view of the provision for exemption contained in paragraph 45 of the same order, he will issue instructions that Rule No. 20 is to be applied in as lenient a manner as possible consistent with the provision of reasonable safety measures for the crews of the fishing boats concerned?
§ Mr. StanleyThe new rules were drawn up in consultation with the representatives of owners and men, and their sole purpose is safety of life at sea. I am afraid I could not agree to exemptions from these rules in circumstances beyond those indicated in Rule 45.