HC Deb 13 May 1912 vol 38 c799
Mr. MARTIN

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that none of the questions propounded by the Attorney-General at the "Titanic" Inquiry deal with the question of the responsibility of the Board of Trade or the Government for the disaster, and in view of the further fact that the Government have the Law Officers of the Crown at the Inquiry to defend them and there is no counsel there to prosecute them, he will propose the appointment of a Committee of the House to deal with the single question as to the responsibility of the Board of Trade in the matter?

The PRIME MINISTER

As I have already stated in answer to previous questions, the court of inquiry is clearly entitled to report on the action of the Board of Trade if, after hearing all the evidence it sees fit to do so. The Law Officers of the Crown are conducting this inquiry solely in the interests of the public, and in that capacity will bring all the facts and circumstances before the Court. I do not think therefore that any useful purpose could be served by appointing a Committee of this House on the subject.