HC Deb 09 June 1913 vol 53 cc1241-2
19. Mr. PETO

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been called to the case of the captain of the steamer "Bengore Head," recently decided in appeal in this country, in which the decision of the Canadian Court, suspending his certificate for three months, in respect of the grounding of the vessel was reversed; whether, although this officer was exonerated from all blame and his certificate restored, this occurred after he had been put out of employment for five months and incurred expense; and whether he proposes to take steps to secure that officers who are ultimately exonerated from all blame shall not be put to serious financial loss and shall be enabled to recover the costs of their appeal?

Mr. BUXTON

I am aware of the facts of the case referred to, and they are, in conjunction with one or two somewhat similar cases, receiving careful consideration; but I cannot hold out hopes that the Board of Trade will be able to provide that officers shall be relieved of all loss or expense in such cases as that of the "Bengore Head."

Mr. PETO

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman take steps to leave the question of costs to the unfettered discretion of the Courts concerned, without any pressure from the Board of Trade?

Mr. BUXTON

It is a rather difficult matter. It is not a question of our own Courts, but of the Canadian Courts.