§ MR. MACALEESEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, has the report of an inquest held on Monday last by Mr. Finnigan, Belfast City Coroner, reached him; is he aware that this was the second inquest within a week held by Mr. Finnigan on bodies of men found drowned in the Clarendon Dock, in Belfast; that the Coroner strongly condemned the Belfast Harbour Commissioners for their indifference in making no effort to protect life at the Clarendon Dock; and that the Coroner's jury found a verdict to the effect that, while the unfortunate deceased met his death by drowning, the Harbour Commissioners were responsible; and will he put himself in communication with the Coroner and the Harbour Commissioners of Belfast with a view to provide some protection to life at dangerous places along the harbour?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADENo, Sir. I have not received the report of the inquest held by the Belfast City Coroner on Monday last. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 11th instant, the Board of Trade have no jurisdiction over the Harbour Commissioners in these matters, but in accordance with my promise I have put myself in communication with the Commissioners with a view of ascertaining the facts of the case.
§ MR. MACALEESEWill the right hon. Gentleman also put himself in communication with the Coroner?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADENo, Sir; I do not think that is necessary.