§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the explosion of a petroleum vessel at Newport on the 11th May, by which four men and one boy lost their lives; whether any official inquiry has been made as to the circumstances under which the explosion took place; and whether, considering that a large number of vessels are now being employed in the petroleum-carrying trade, and the danger of an explosion occurring when such vessels have to undergo repairs, he will take steps to provide that in future petroleum vessels are carefully examined by some competent person before such repairs are undertaken, so as to prevent as far as possible the occurrence of similar calamities in future?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.My attention has been called to an explosion which occurred on board the steamship Tancarville at Newport on the 11th May last. An inquiry into the circumstances is now proceeding. It is being held before two Inspectors, namely, Mr. Mansel Jones, Barrister at Law, and Colonel Majendie, C.B., Inspector of Explosives attached to the Home Office. Provisions for regulating 1468 the petroleum carrying trade were included in the Inflammable Liquids Bill, which was introduced into Parliament on the 9th February last and has since been withdrawn.
§ MR. FENWICKWhen the inquiry is completed, will the Report be laid on the Table of the House?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI presume that the usual course will be followed.