§ SIR JOHN PULESTON (Devonport)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can inform the House what number of vessels were reported missing in the last year for which accounts are available, and also the number of cases into which inquiry has been made?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS BEACHThe number of British vessels reported missing in the last year for which accounts are available is 79. Inquiry was made by the Board of Trade officers in every case, but official inquiries were held in only seven cases. I have no reason to believe that an official inquiry could have been usefully held in any case in which it was not actually ordered.