§ 11. Mr. GRIFFITHSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamer "Essex Heath" was recently in grave peril at sea; that the vessel was forced to abandon her voyage from Port Talbot to New York; that she had to put back to Queenstown owing to the damage sustained in the heavy weather; that she was not able to communicate her plight; that the captain was compelled, against his will, to proceed to sea without a wireless operator; and that the Board of Trade exempted the ship from the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919; what was the nature of that exemption; and under what Statute was the exemption given?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware that the steamer "Essex Heath," on a voyage from Port Talbot to New York, had to put back to Queenstown owing to damage sustained in heavy weather. In a deposition taken from the master by an officer of the Irish Free State Government, the former stated that he decided that it would be prudent to turn the vessel round and make for the nearest port. He, therefore, put into Queenstown in order to make the ship seaworthy again. No wireless operator was carried during the voyage in question. The master's deposition makes no mention of unwillingness to proceed to sea. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Camberwell Nortn. (Mr. Ammon) on the 22nd December last.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSI do not know what was the nature of the reply given to the hon. Member for North Camberwell, but I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether we are to assume, from this reply and the exemption given to the shipowners, that he considers that the interest of the shipowners is of greater importance than the lives of the seafaring men and passengers?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe have had that point several times.
§ Mr. AMMONWas not the reply to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred rather misleading, inasmuch as the Act makes no reference to wireless operators, but only to certain ships being exempted from the necessity of carrying the apparatus?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIf the hon. Gentleman is challenging the legality of anything done by His Majesty's Government, that must be done in the Law Courts, where alone an authoritative pronouncement can be obtained. If he is referring to the administrative action which His Majesty's Government have taken, that was taken after full consideration, and following precedents which have been set up on two previous occasions.
§ Mr. AMMONI am challenging the accuracy of the right hon. Gentleman's reply as based on the Act to which he referred.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for Debate.