asked the President of the Board of Trade if there is any fine or penalty or objection to the renewal of the certificate in the case of a merchant vessel which, in defiance of the Board of Trade notice, passes through or breaks the line of any squadron of warships?

No specific penalty is provided for disregard of the official warning to which the hon. Member refers, but if the course followed constitutes either a breach of the collision regulations or amounts to negligent navigation a competent court would have power to inflict a penalty or award damages.

If a case of infraction of this rule were brought to the notice of the Board of Trade would they not be able to take action when the certificate comes up for renewal?

That is a hypothetical question which it is impossible for me to answer.

I understand such a case arose only a few weeks ago.