HC Deb 03 August 1866 vol 184 cc2037-8
MR. JASPER MORE

said, he wished to ask the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he has yet been able to direct his attention to the circumstances of the loss of the London in the Bay of Biscay last winter, and the investigation which subsequently took place; and, whether he proposes to carry out the intention announced by the late President of the Board of Trade to introduce a measure in the course of next Session for the better protection of passengers by sea?

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

Sir, there is no question now depending at the Board of Trade with regard to the loss of the London, and my attention was not directed to the ease until I saw the notice of the hon. Gentleman's Question. I this morning hastily looked over some of the papers connected with it. I read the report of the inquiry and also referred to the debate which took place in the early part of the Session on the Motion of my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty. I had not, however, time to read carefully the evidence which was taken in the course of the inquiry, and I have nothing to say on that part of the subject at present. In reply to the question whether I propose to carry out the intention announced by the late President of the Board of Trade to introduce a measure in the course of next Session for the better protection of passengers at sea, I can only say that I am not aware what the character of the measure is which the right hon. Gentleman may have had in contemplation. No record showing that any such measure was in course of preparation has been left at the Board of Trade. The subject is one, however, to which I shall pay very early and careful attention. It is one which involves a good many questions of considerable difficulty, and I am bound to admit that, as far as I have been able to form an opinion from a hasty examination of the paper, I have no doubt that the present system of investigation, at all events, requires remodelling and improvement. I hope it may be found possible to introduce into it some improvement, but I cannot undertake, without further consideration, to indicate even the nature of any proposals which I may deem it to be my duty to make with that object.