§ MR. HENEAGEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade why no official inquiry has been held into the collision between the smack Sobriety of Grimsby and the steamship Basset Hound, sailing out of Hull on the 7th of April, 1894; whether he is aware that four out of five hands were drowned out of the crew of the smack Sobriety; and why no Board of Trade inquiry has been held into the cause of each man's death, in accordance with the law in such case as set forth in the Merchant Shipping Acts?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BURT, Morpeth) (who replied)said: I am aware of the unfortunate loss of life which occurred in the ease to which the right hon. Gentleman refers. An inquiry into the cause of the deaths has already been held by the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, and a preliminary investigation into the cause of the collision has also taken place. The Board of Trade have in addition ordered a formal official inquiry to be held, but this must stand over until the proceedings now pending in the Admiralty Court are concluded.
§ MR. HENEAGEWhy have not the relatives of these unfortunate men been informed of the result of the inquiry? Surely the matter is of importance to them?