§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he has taken to ensure that the rule in force since 1st October, 1956, that trawlers and fishery-protection vessels must carry rubber life-rafts, is being observed fully; and what contraventions of it there have been by Scottish ships, and with what results.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe rule applies only to fishing vessels between 50 ft. and 145 ft. in length. For life-saving appliances fishery cruisers, whether registered or unregistered, are treated in the same way as coastal cargo vessels, none of which is required to carry inflatable life-rafts.
I am informed that all owners of Scottish fishing vessels to which the rules apply have placed orders for the neces-life-rafts, but that in a number of cases, because of supply difficulties, they have not yet been delivered. I have recently written to owners drawing attention to their legal responsibilities.