§ SIR W. J. COLLINS (St. Pancras, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the shipwreck of the "Courier" off Guernsey on April 30th, which resulted in the loss of several lives; whether he proposes to hold a public inquiry into the circumstances attending the disaster; whether the navigation laws in the Channel Islands differ from these administered by the Board of Trade; and, if so, whether he will take steps to secure that they shall be amended so as to accord with these obtaining in the United Kingdom.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE, Carnarvon Boroughs)My attention has been called to the shipwreck of the "Courier," and I have communicated on the subject with the Home Office who have jurisdiction in such a matter, and I am informed that they have made representations to the Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey as to the desirability of strict inquiry being held. The inquiry incidental to the inquest is proceeding in the island before the Royal Court. The laws relating to navigation in the Channel Islands differ in some respects from the Imperial Merchant Shipping Act, and if on the conclusion of the present inquiries in Guernsey it appears that any amendment is necessary the matter shall receive consideration.