§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSON (Middlesbrough)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the fact that a man was lost overboard from the ship Gwalla in consequence of the davit tackle being unreeved at sea, and if it has been reported to him that the Board of Trade officer who surveyed the ship at Barry insisted on such tackle being reeved, and as soon as the ship left harbour the tackle was unreeved, in consequence of which the boat could not be lowered; if he can give any explanation as to why the inquiry should take place at Stonehaven instead of London, the port to which the ship belongs; if he can state whether it is the intention of the Board of Trade to call any of the A. B. 's; and if he will also take steps to see that the Board of Trade officer who surveyed the ship at Barry is at the inquiry?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA, Sheffield, Brightside)My attention has been called to the case referred to in the question. The master was yesterday prosecuted under the Life Saving Appliances Act, and I am informed that a verdict of not proven has been found. The prosecution took place at Stonehaven, as required by the Merchant Shipping Act, because the defendant was there. Only two witnesses were available, the mate and one A. B., both of whom were sent to give evidence. The Board of Trade Surveyor was, I am advised, not called because his evidence was not material.