§ Mr. FFRENCHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information to give the House with reference to the wreck of the three-masted schooner "Mexico," on one of the Kuragh Islands, off the coast of Wexford, and what has become of the crew; also if he has any information respecting the Fethard lifeboat and crew that met with such a terrible disaster in their courageous endeavour to rescue the crew of the ill-fated vessel?
§ Mr. BURNSI have not yet received any official report which would enable me to give the House any information with regard to this casualty beyond that which has appeared in the newspapers. I am very glad, however, to have this opportunity of stating how highly the Board of Trade appreciate the gallantry and devotion displayed by the crew of the Fethard lifeboat in attempting to rescue those on board the Norwegian schooner, under conditions of great difficulty and danger, and how deeply they deplore the sad loss of valuable lives which has occurred.
§ Mr. FFRENCHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the crew of the lifeboat were all poor fishermen, and whether the Government has any fund at its disposal from which assistance could be given to the wives and families of those who lost their lives in a brave attempt to save the lives of others, and also whether any reward will be given to the survivors for their bravery?
§ Mr. BURNSThe whole of the sad circumstances in connection with this unfortunate event will naturally be discussed both by the Department and the National Lifeboat Association, and there is no 1596 doubt that the usual course will be taken with regard to the dependents of those brave fellows. I trust that their appeal will be sympathetically received by all concerned.