HC Deb 29 May 1922 vol 154 cc1655-8
5. Captain Viscount CURZON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to set up a special inquiry to inquire into the circumstances attending the loss of the Peninsular and Oriental liner "Egypt"; whether this ship was supplied with Carley rafts; if so, how many; how many lifeboats were carried by the ship; in how many cases were attempts made to launch them; how many were successfully launched; how many hours the ship had been at sea; whether the passengers and crew had all been given boat. stations; whether any drills had been carried out to ensure that they were acquainted with the details; whether each passenger and member of the crew was furnished with a lifebelt of approved pattern before sailing; and whether each passenger and member of the crew had had an opportunity of becoming familiar with the wearing and use of such a belt before sailing?

6. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the formal investigation into matters concerning the loss of the Peninsular and Oriental steamship "Egypt" is a public or private inquiry: whether any report has yet been issued, and, if so, what report; or, if not, will the findings of the inquiry be made public?

Mr. BALDWIN

As I informed the House on 24th May, a formal investigation will be held into the loss of the "Egypt," and that investigation will cover all material points affecting the loss of the ship and the loss of life. A note has been made of the specific points mentioned in the questions. The inquiry will be a public one, and the Report will be published.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to inquire into the advisability of carrying no more lascars on these boats?

Mr. MALONE

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that compensation is paid to relatives of the native crew as well as the white crew?

Viscount CURZON

Will the Report of the inquiry be available to the public, or will the inquiry be a public one?

Mr. BALDWIN

I announced to the House last week that the inquiry will be public.

Captain CRAIG

Will not the inquiry in this case be the ordinary Board of Trade inquiry, which is always public?

Mr. BALDWIN

Yes.

Colonel Sir CHARLES YATE

Will differentiation be made between Goanese stewards and lascar seamen?

Mr. BALDWIN

No doubt the full facts will be brought out in the investigation.

11. Mr. GILBERT

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the Regulations imposed by his Department on ocean-going passenger steamers flying the British flag sailing from home ports as regards wireless operators; must each vessel carry a minimum number of such operators, and has the number to be increased according to the number of passengers carried by each vessel; and whether such Regulations apply to all vessels, irrespective of whether their voyages are long or short?

Mr. BALDWIN

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Rules, 1920, which will, I think, give him the information he requires.

12. Mr. GILBERT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any Order or Regulation made by his Department respecting the crews to be carried by mail steamers leaving British ports carrying passengers; whether such Regulations provide for all or any part of the crew carried to be British; whether such steamers are allowed to carry lascar or other foreign crews; and, if so, is there any Regulation governing the proportion of such lascar or foreign crews who may be employed on British vessels from home ports?

Mr. BALDWIN

I am informed that in all contracts entered into by the Post Office with steamship companies for the carriage of mails a Clause is inserted to the effect that the master and officers and at least three fourths of the crew of every mail ship shall be British subjects. The majority of the seamen described as "lascars" are British subjects. The only statutory requirements in regard to the employment of aliens on British ships are contained in Sections 5 and 12 of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, where no distinction is made between cargo ships and passenger ships.

59. Mr. WILLIAM SHAW

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Peninsular and Oriental liner "Egypt' carried a hydrophone; and if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to make it compulsory for all passenger steamers to be equipped with hydrophones?

Mr. BALDWIN

All material points affecting the loss of the ship or the. loss of life will be dealt with in the formal investigation into the loss of the "Egypt." A note has been made of the hon. Member's suggestion.