*ADMIRAL FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the narrative of the late Mr. W. P. Baines, of the ship Port Varrock, 2,175 tons, recently wrecked in Brandon Bay, near Tralee, wherein it is alleged that the ship was grossly undermanned, with only seven A. B. 's, two ordinary (one of whom had never been to sea before), and six apprentices, of whom Mr. Baines only had been to sea before, and that in consequence of such undermauning the crew suffered great hardships from overwork: and that it is also alleged that the ship was not properly provisioned; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to whether the ship was manned and provisioned as described, and if such was the case, will he institute proceedings at law against the owners?
§ MR. MUNDELLAIn answer to a similar question last week, I informed the House that my attention had been called to the circumstances of the case referred to in the question, and that I had ordered a full and formal inquiry to be held. Until the Report of this inquiry has been received, I think it only right that I should defer answering the supplemental question of the hon. and gallant Member.
§ MR. J. G. LAWSON (York, N.R., Thirsk)Will the relatives of the crew be allowed to be represented at the inquiry?
§ ME. MUNDELLAThat is entirely a question for the Court.