§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport what steps he took to ensure the seaworthiness of the "Lakonia"; and if he will take steps to ensure that foreign ships, such as the "Lakonia", carrying Britons as passengers, comply with the precautionary regulations imposed on British passenger-carrying ships.
§ Mr. MarplesThe seaworthiness of a ship is governed by the requirements of the International Load Line Convention, 1930, and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1948. Greece and the United Kingdom are parties to both these Conventions, and therefore British and Greek ships of similar age and type are governed by broadly the same safety standards. The "Lakonia" carried certificates certifying compliance with both these Conventions.
The Conventions provide that it is the responsibility of the Government concerned to ensure that its ships conform with the Convention standards.