12. Dr. MURRAYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the finding of the fatal accidents inquiry into the loss of His Majesty's yacht "Iolaire," in which a strong recommendation is made that proper provision should be made for the safe transit of naval ratings on leave to 1716 the Western Isles; whether he intends to act upon this recommendation; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Long)I take this opportunity of expressing the profound regret of the Board of Admiralty at the loss of over 200 gallant lives and of tendering their deepest sympathy to the relatives of the men who were lost in such tragic circumstances.
A copy of the findings of the jury has been received, and these findings and the recommendations accompanying them, including that referred to by my hon. Friend, will, of course, receive the very fullest consideration by the Admiralty. No statement can be made at the present moment, except that the very exceptional circumstances under which a large number of naval ratings required to travel to Stornoway on the same day are not likely to be repeated.