§ MR. LEES (Oldham)asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, Whether, after any accident resulting in loss of life on board a British merchantman, it is customary for the officials of the Board of Trade to interrogate the crew respecting the causes of the accident collectively in the presence of their officers, or individually and apart; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to insure that the men shall be privately questioned in all such cases?
§ THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)In cases of wreck and casualty, to which I presume the hon. Member refers, the Board of Trade instructions already provide that each witness shall be examined individually and apart. These instructions apply to seamen as well as officers.