asked the Minister of Transport if he will seek consultations with other Governments concerned to improve the safety arrangements in merchant ships operating from United Kingdom ports.

International consultations about improvements in safety at sea are carried out continuously, under the ægis of the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say whether the refit of the "Lakonia" at Southampton by Thorneycrofts was in all respects satisfactory in regard to safety installations and the warning system; and will he make every endeavour to conduct a full inquiry when the Greek Government have completed their inquiry?

The latter part of my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question anticipates a later Question on the Order Paper. The first part, I think, anticipates the result of the inquiry.

Our record in this is not very honourable, is it, since the Safety of Life at Sea Convention of 1960 has still not been implemented by this Government? Why not?

It has not yet been implemented because legislation would be required to do so. As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, there is a Bill before the House now for that purpose.

I can assure the hon. Gentlemon that the Opposition would be prepared to do anything they could to help the Government get that legislation through, particularly on an important subject of this kind, which concerns safety at sea. The Government have had three years in which to implement this, so will we get this legislation quickly, perhaps in the next month or so?

I appreciate the fact that the Opposition will co-operate with us when the Measure comes up for its Second Reading.