§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will approach the appropriate authorities in the Western Pacific Commission and ask whether they wish for the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958, to be extended to the Central and Southern Line Islands and, after consultation with the French Government, to the New Hebrides Condominium, respectively, by orders in council.
§ Mr. SandysI am consulting the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific on the extension of the Act to the Central and Southern Line Islands. The High Commissioner has agreed to the extension of the Act to the New Hebrides as far as is practicable. I propose to consult the French Government about this.
§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will approach the Government of the State of Malta and ask whether they wish the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act, 1958, to be extended to the State of Malta under that Act.
§ Mr. SandysThe Government of Malta has already indicated that it would prefer to implement the provisions of the International Convention relating to the Liability of Owners of Sea-going Ships by local legislation.