§ MR. J. W. CROMBIE (Kincardineshire)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the wreck of the trawler 1650 Nellie, off Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire, in the recent gale; whether he is aware that from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., when the last man disappeared from the rigging, the only attempt at rescue was a futile one by the rocket apparatus; and that three lifeboats were within reach of the scene of the disaster; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the case?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEYes, Sir; my attention has been directed to the wreck of this vessel. The vessel was seen by the Coastguard at Rattray Head flying signals of distress, some three miles off, at 5.30 a.m. on the 24th. The vessel drifted towards the land, the rocket company watching to render assistance. At 10 o'clock the vessel stranded. A rocket was at once fired and communication effected in about ten minutes. Unfortunately the crew were either unable to haul off the rope, or else were ignorant of its use. A heavy sea struck the vessel; she was thrown on her beam ends, and the crew unfortunately washed away. There are three lifeboats within about seven miles of Rattray Head. I propose to institute an inquiry into the casualty, when till the facts of the case will be ascertained.
§ MR. CROMBIEWill the result of the inquiry be made known to the House?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEOh, certainly!
§ MR. T. R. BUCHANAN (Aberdeenshire)Will the inquiry include an investigation with regard to the efficiency of the rocket apparatus?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADECertainly; and also into the circumstances connected with the non-arrival of the lifeboats.