§ Mr. Staintonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the sinking of the 207,000 ton tanker "Marpessa" on her maiden voyage, he will institute research into the safety aspects of similar British vessels; and if he will seek to raise this question at the next meeting of the International Maritime Consultative Organisation.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe "Marpessa" was a Dutch registered oil tanker. I expect that in accordance with the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea 1960 the Dutch Government will be providing information on the results of their investigations to the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. That organisation, in which the United Kingdom plays a prominent part, is currently engaged on 493W the formulation of international requirements for the construction and equipment of oil tankers. In this work account is taken of relevant information about casualties.