§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport when it is intended fully to implement the conventions signed at the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea, held in London on the 17th June, 1960; what countries have implemented the conventions; which have indicated that they will; on what date it is expected that they will be in full operation by ships flying Her Majesty's flag; and on what dates it is expected they will be in full operation on ships of other countries.
§ Mr. MarplesThe revised International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea will come into force twelve months after the date on which it has been accepted by the Governments of fifteen countries, including seven having each not less than one million gross tons of shipping.
The revised International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea will come into force on a date to be fixed by the Inter-Governmental Maritime 53W Consultative Organisation after substantial unanimity has been reached as to their acceptance by Governments.
So far as the United Kingdom is concerned, legislation will be necessary to give effect to certain of the new provisions and to enable us formally to accept them. This is in preparation and will be brought before Parliament as soon as is practicable.
No Government has as yet formally accepted either of the instruments, or has formally indicated its intention to do so.