HC Deb 23 February 1877 vol 232 cc897-8
LORD ESLINGTON

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether any inquiry is about to be made into the supposed less of the "Great Queensland;" and, whether he still adheres to the answer he lately gave as to the sufficiency of the law in regard to the improper stowage of explosive merchandise on beard ship?

SIR CHARLES ADDERLEY

An inquiry into the disappearance of the Great Queensland was decided on several weeks ago by the Board of Trade, though she has not yet been posted at Lloyd's as missing. I adhere to my expressed opinion that the law is as sufficient as it can be made at present to check improper stowage of explosives. The cases cited against such an opinion, so far as I can ascertain, occurred before the law I referred to came into operation.