§ 23. Captain MOSSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will initiate an inquiry into the cause of the foundering of the steamship "Opal" off the Longships lighthouse on Friday, 4th September, 1931?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANA very full preliminary Inquiry was held into this casualty, under Section 465 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, and, as a result of the conclusions reached, namely, that the ship took a serious list through the shift of its grain cargo, action is being taken by my Department in the interest of the safety of ships engaged in the carriage of grain cargoes in the home trade. No useful purpose would be served by a formal investigation under Section 466.