§ 82. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the finding of the Court in the inquiry of the ss. "Salamis," in which the captain, who was charged with incompetency and misconduct, was exonerated from all blame, but in which nevertheless the costs incurred by the captain in and about his defence were refused, on the ground that there is no precedent for granting costs under the Act; and whether he will take steps to ensure costs being allowed in future to officers exonerated from blame in Courts of Inquiry?
Mr. BUXTONI have received the report of the proceedings at the inquiry to-which the hon. Member refers, but there is nothing therein to show that an application was made by the master for the payment of the costs incurred by him. As this particular inquiry was held in Durban under the provisions of the Natal Shipping Casualties Law of 1883 the matter is not one in which the Board of Trade could, in any event, interfere.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that in future, in the case of masters of steamships in these inquiries, when application is made by an exonerated man for costs, that these will be defrayed out of the public money.