HC Deb 13 April 1899 vol 69 cc969-70
MR. RICHARDS () Finsbury, E.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if there be any authority for the statement that he has decided to hold the inquiry into the shipwreck of the "Stella" on the Casquets at the port of Southampton; and, in view of the fact that such a decision would entail extra expense and difficulty on the relatives of the deceased and their representatives in attending at such a distance from London, whether he will follow the precedent of the inquiry held on the loss of the "Drummond Castle" off Ushant by directing the holding of the court at the Guildhall, Westminster, or in the Royal Courts of Justice?

THE PRESIDENT or THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) Croydon

There is no authority for the statement to which my honourable Friend refers. The inquiry into the wreck of the "Stella" will be held at Westminster, and there has never been any intention to hold it elsewhere.

MR. STEADMAN () Tower Hamlets, Stepney

Arising out of this Question, may I ask whether the right honourable Gentleman's attention has been called to the death of a lighterman whose boat was swamped by a, steamer?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That has nothing to do with the Question on the Paper.