§ MR. ISAACS (Newington, Walworth)asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, Whether the statement of the Captain of the Channel Steamer Victoria, which was wrecked upon the rocks near Cape d'Ailly, on the North Coast of France, on Wednesday last, was attributable to the non-sounding of the fog horn at the Cape is founded on fact, so far as the non-sounding of the fog horn is concerned; and, whether any International agreement exists between this country and France whereby it is ren- 1116 dered obligatory on the part of the Maritime Authorities of the two coon-tries to warn passing vessels of danger during the prevalence of fog at sea?
§ THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS; (Liverpool. East Toxteth)An official inquiry has—as I stated in the House on Thursday last—been ordered by the Board of Trade to be held in the Wreck Commissioner's Court into the circumstances attending this unfortunate casualty; and it would be unusual to attempt to anticipate the Report of that Inquiry. There will also, I should presume, be an inquiry in France to ascertain all particulars respecting the starting of the fog signal at Cape d'Ailly on the morning of the 13th instant. I am rot aware of any formal agreement of the description alluded to by the hon. Member; but I believe it is admitted by all seafaring men that, as a general rule, the Aids to Navigation in both France and England are maintained in efficiency.