§ 78. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to an inquest held at Stratford on the body of a stevedore who was working on board the steamship "Corsican" at the Victoria Dock, and in consequence of a defective hatch was fatally injured by a fall down the ship's hold; if he is aware that the coroner 1669 agreed that, on the evidence presented, several hatches were short; that the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death owing to a defective hatch"; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ Mr. GULLANDThe Home Secretary has received a report on this case, and the facts are as stated by my hon. Friend in the question. There is no provision in the Act or Regulations which makes the use of defective hatch covers an offence, and, as new covers have now been provided, there is no further action to be taken as regards the present case. The Home Secretary is causing inquiries to be made in regard to the other vessels of the line.