_London, SW., April 4, 1911_.
SIR: I am directed by the board of trade to inclose herewith, for the
information of the merchant shipping advisory committee, a copy of a
question asked in the House of Commons on February 15 and of the answer
given by the president of the board of trade with reference to the
life-saving appliances rules made under section 427 of the merchant
shipping act, 1894.
The board are of opinion that the table in the appendix to the rules
should be extended upward in the form indicated in the accompanying
scale, so as to provide for vessels of tonnage up to 50,000 tons gross
and upward.
It appears to the board that the number of boats and the boat capacity
need not necessarily increase in a regular proportion according to the
increase in tonnage, and that due regard should be paid to what is
reasonable and practicable in passenger steamers exceeding 10,000 tons.
* * *
I am to state that the board would be obliged if the merchant shipping
advisory committee would be so good as to suggest in what manner the
scale (see accompanying copy) should be continued upward, having due
regard to the considerations indicated above.
I am further to state that the board would be glad to learn whether the
advisory committee are of opinion that rule 12 should or should not be
revised so as to exempt altogether from the requirement of additional
boats or rafts those vessels which are divided into efficient
water-tight compartments to the satisfaction of the board of trade. * *
*