§ MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the wreck of the "Goonlaze," involving loss of life, on 5th February last, in Bideford Bay, and to the evidence given at the Board of Trade inquiry held on the 18th and 19th instant; whether he is aware that at such inquiry four witnesses gave evidence that they 1434 had seen distress signals in Bideford Bay early in the morning of the 5th February; that five witnesses gave evidence that the woodwork of the wreck showed distinct traces of flares or other distress signals having been used; and that no such distress signals were seen by any of the coastguards stationed on the coast; and whether, under these circumstances, and having regard to the dangerous nature of the coast and the advisability of taking every precaution to ensure the safety of sailors and fishermen, he will order an inquiry into the question as to the adequacy of the coastguard service between Hartland Point and Westward Ho!
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo Report has as yet been received at the Admiralty from the Board of Trade giving the results of the inquiry into the wreck of the "Goonlaze." When the Report has been received the question of the adequacy of the coastguard service between Hartland Point and Westward Ho! will be carefully considered by the light of the information contained in the Report.