§ MR. JAMES STEWARTasked the President of the Board of Trade, If he will cause arrangements to be made by which in future inquiries into the loss of merchant ships shall be conducted as near as reasonably can be to the domicile of the parties chiefly interested, so as to avoid the inconvenience and expense, as well as dissatisfaction, occasioned in such a case as that of the "Culzean," where the witnesses and others concerned, though nearly all residing in Scotland, were called from. Greenock and Dundee to attend a Court held in Liverpool?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINIn answer, Sir, to my hon. Friend, I have to state I agree entirely with the opinions indicated in the Question, that the inquiries referred to should be held where the Court would be most conveniently placed 1707 for the majority of the parties interested. But where, as in the ease of the Culzean, there was unfortunately a deplorable loss of life, it would be clearly invidious to plane them before local magistrates, who are largely interested in shipping. Under ordinary circumstances, the Wreck Commissioner would hold the inquiry; but, in this instance, he had a large number of fixtures, and it appeared unwise to delay the inquiry. I hope that in the future arrangements will be made by which the removal of these cases may be avoided.