§ Mr. Medlicottasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements exist for examining the seaworthiness of pleasure craft in use at seaside resorts; and if he is satisfied with the adequacy of such arrangements.
§ Mr. Barnes:I have been asked to reply. Under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts, all steam or motor vessels carrying more than 12 passengers must be provided with passenger certificates issued by my Department specifying the maximum number of passengers allowed, and for this purpose they are required to be surveyed at least once a 256W year by my Marine Surveyors. Having regard to the rarity of accidents to pleasure vessels of these descriptions, I am satisfied that the provisions for examining their seaworthiness are adequate.
Other pleasure vessels have to be licensed by the local authority in whose district they ply for hire, if Section 94 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907, has been put in force, as it has been in most of the larger resorts. The Public Health Acts also provide for the making of byelaws by local authorities in respect of pleasure boats, but these are not primarily aimed at the seaworthiness of the vessels.