HC Deb 31 January 1929 vol 224 cc1139-41
60. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the President of the Board of Trade the constitution and personnel of the court of inquiry to be held into the loss of the s.s. "Vestris"; and when the inquiry will take place?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

The inquiry will be held by a Wreck Commissioner assisted by assessors, and I am glad to be able to announce that Mr. Butler Aspinall, K.C., has agreed to act as Wreck Commissioner. It is not possible yet to state when the investigation will be held.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Who will be the assessors?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I cannot answer that question now.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Will the Board of Trade bear the costs of the representation of the officers, who are suffering under a stigma as the result of a verdict in America obtained by methods hardly coincident with British ideas of justice?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I am not sure whether that question ought to be addressed to me, or to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I am quite sure that either ought to have notice of it.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

What is the reason for the delay in holding the inquiry?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Because there is an enormous mass of evidence which has to be collected in America, and brought from America and collated when it reaches this side. I am sure the House will readily appreciate that, in an inquiry of this importance, it is vital that all the relevant evidence should be collected and fully and properly presented.

Mr. SHINWELL

Will an arrangement be made for the crew to be represented at the inquiry?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I would like notice of that question.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Will the right hon. Gentleman sympathetically consider the suggestion of paying for the representation of the officers to whom this case is a very serious one indeed, and who are not rich men?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Obviously, that is a point on which I ought to have notice, but, generally speaking, I have not the least doubt that whatever is the usual procedure in an inquiry of this kind will probably be followed.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

This is not a usual case.

Mr. SHINWELL

Was not a question as to the representation of the crew previously put to the right hon. Gentleman when he said he would require notice of it; and has not a considerable time elapsed since that question was put?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

When a Minister says he would like notice of a supplementary question that, according to the ordinary usage of the House, means that the question should be put on the Paper. If any question is put on the Paper, I shall be only too delighted to do my best to answer it.