§ MR. A. SUTHERLAND (Sutherland)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the great and increasing loss of life at sea from fishing boats in Scotland; whether his attention has been called to the following statement in The Scotsman newspaper of the 23rd of April last, where, after describing the 1611 death by drowning of a fisherman, it proceeds:—
This is the fourth instance this year of fishermen falling overboard on this coast and being drowned. The cause of these accidents is almost wholly attributed to the want of safety rails on these boats;and, whether, in view of the alarming frequency of these accidents, and the great loss of life consequent thereon, the Board of Trade will take such steps, as indicated above or otherwise, as will secure reasonable protection to these men in their dangerous calling?
THE PRESIDENT (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)My attention has been directed to this matter, and an officer of the Board of Trade is now engaged in inquiring into it. I hope the inquiry will result in something being done.