HC Deb 12 July 1938 vol 338 cc1086-7
6. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to hold inquiries into the accidents which occurred to the steamships "Quarrington Court," "Annagher" and "Ino," on, respectively, 7th December, 1937, 11th December, 1937, and 14th October, 1937; and what are the reasons for the delay in holding these inquiries?

Mr. Stanley

In each case the statutory preliminary inquiry was begun immediately after the casualty occurred. As a result of the preliminary inquiries, formal public investigations were ordered, and these will be held as and when the necessary technical evidence is ready and as and when the essential witnesses are available. The public investigation into the loss of the steamship "Ino" will open at Bristol on 20th July, and it is expected that it will be possible for the other two cases to be heard early in September. There has been no avoidable delay in holding these inquiries.