§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a communication from the Southwark coroner respecting the death of Richard Henry Neville, who was drowned in the Thames on 15th March 1899 through the swamping of a boat by the s.s. "Nordcap"; and whether, considering that the jury that inquired into the cause of death severely censured the ship's company for gross negligence in not attempting to save life, and that the "Nordcap" belongs to foreign owners, the Government will assist the passage of a Bill to make the owners of foreign vessels liable for damages for personal injuries or loss of life caused by their own or their servants' negligence, in the same manner that British shipowners are now liable?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADENo, Sir, I have not received any communication from the Southwark coroner with regard to the case to which the honourable Member refers. If such a communication should reach me, it will receive careful consideration. Meanwhile, I am in correspondence with the Foreign Office with the view of ascertaining the state of the law which obtains on the subject in the principal maritime countries.