§ * MR. SAMUEL ROBERTS (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether 561 his attention has been called to a very sad case of death by drowning, in the Thames near Hurlingham on last Sunday morning, and the conduct of the police authorities as set forth in a letter in The Times of today, from which it appears that, by reason of the prolonged delay of the authorities in getting together a coroner's jury, the parents of Mr. Appleyard have been unable to get possession of the body, the inquest being delayed until to-day; and whether he will cause a thorough investigation to be made into the circumstances with a view to preventing any possibility of the recurrence of such a sad state of things.
§ * MR. RITCHIEYes, Sir. When my hon. friend drew my attention to this matter, I had already read the letter referred to, with a feeling of the deepest sympathy for the writer and his family. I know nothing of the circumstances, but I have communicated with the coroner concerned, and with the police, and I can assure my hon. friend that the case shall be fully and carefully investigated.