§ Mr. Miscampbellasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) whether he will extend the powers of local authorities to licence passenger boats from the present limit of 12 passengers to 30 passengers;
(2) whether he will take steps to institute a new category of one to 10 tons for passenger boats for the purpose of licensing, and impose a lower fee for such a category.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisQuestions of this kind relating to the licensing powers of968W local authorities are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. However, local authorities' control of small passenger boats is among the subjects currently being considered by the Home Office Working Party on Water Safety, whose report is expected shortly. My Department's statutory responsibilities include those for the constructional and safety equipment aspects of passenger ships, the latter being defined both nationally and internationally as ships which carry more than 12 passengers.