§ 3. Mr. ALFRED WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether 162 his attention has been called to the wrecks which have occurred recently on the north coast of Cornwall; and whether, in view of the jury's rider at the inquest held upon a body washed ashore from the wreck of the steam trawler "Miura," he will consider improving the coast-watching arrangements in the Morwenstowe area?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMy attention has been called to two wrecks in this area. In the case of the "Miura," I am informed that watch was being maintained by the coastguard from a point about 4 miles distant from the place where the vessel was wrecked, and that had visual signals of distress been made, there is no doubt that these would have been observed and arrangements at once made for affording assistance to the ship. It is, as my hon. Friend will agree, not possible to arrange for the coast to be watched except at selected points, and I doubt whether there is a case for increasing the watch maintained over that part of the coast at which this vessel was wrecked. The loss of lives clearly indicates, however, the necessity for the provision of proper means of making distress signals at night on sea-going cargo and fishing vessels, and within the past few months the Board have circulated to shipowners and masters a notice calling attention to this, and urging the provision of suitable pyrotechnic signals which can be used without delay, and are obtainable at a low cost.