§ Commander BELLAIRSI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether he can state who are the skilled assessors appointed to assist Lord Mersey in the "Lusitania" Inquiry; whether such an inquiry, ordered by the Board of Trade, has authority to pronounce upon or in any way to criticise the adequacy or inadequacy of the defence or protective arrangements made by the Board of Admiralty; and whether he can state the terms of reference Lord Mersey has been given as to the conduct of the inquiry?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe assessors to assist Lord Mersey have not yet been appointed. Certain questions, yet to be formulated, will be addressed to the Court of Inquiry, but no formal terms of reference will be given to Lord Mersey. The inquiry will be conducted by the 1480 Law Officers, who can be relied upon to see that all pertinent points consistent with the public interest are dealt with.