§ 1. Sir BASIL PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to inform the House when the Board of Trade investigation into the loss of the "Vestris" will be held; and whether he can state the composition of the full Court?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)I am not yet in a position to state when the inquiry into the loss of the "Vestris" will be held. The necessity for obtaining witnesses and much of the evidence from America renders the preparation of the case both slow and difficult, but every possible effort is being made to expedite the hearing. I have already informed the House that Mr. Butler Aspinall has consented to act as Wreck 953 Commissioner. The appointment of assessors will not be made until the date of the inquiry has been fixed.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTEREvery effort will be made to get any witness whose attendance is really valuable for the purposes of the inquiry.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Board of Trade will, of course, be represented at the inquiry.
§ Mr. DAYI mean the expenses of witnesses who may be brought over—will they be defrayed by the Government or the Board of Trade?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should require notice of that question.