§ SIR J. COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the running down of a shrimper's boat by the steamer Baltic, of Christiana, in Yarmouth Roads on the 19th instant, causing the loss of a life and of the boat; whether he is aware of the complaints of shrimpers as to an increasing carelessness of the lookout on board steamers navigating waters to which small boats must resort in pursuit of their avocations; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to the justice of that complaint, with a view of securing better protection for small craft in Yarmouth Roads and other waters similarly situated?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonMy attention has been called to the case 790 referred to in the Question, and I have ordered an official inquiry to be held. No complaints appear to have reached the Board of Trade from shrimpers as to increasing carelessness of look-out on board steamers, but any case that comes to my notice will receive consideration. As at present advised, I do not propose to order any general inquiry in the matter, but I will consider each case on its merits as it arises.