§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Transport what fire and boat drill was attended by one of the officers of his Department before the "Lakonia" sailed from Southampton; how long it lasted; and whether the officer was satisfied with the stowing of the lifeboats.
§ Mr. MarplesA surveyor of my Department witnessed on 18th and 19th December the fire and boat drills which were carried out in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1948. He was on board the ship for a total of about six hours, spread over two days. Stowage of lifeboats is a matter covered by a ship's international safety certificate, but the boat drill on the "Lakonia" provided for seven boats being lowered to the embarkation decks and four of these being lowered into the water and exercised afloat. These exercises were carried out satisfactorily.