HC Deb 17 November 1954 vol 533 cc386-7
27. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if his attention has been drawn to the wreck of the s.s. "Faidherbe" with over 12 British people aboard, which disappeared in the Indian Ocean off South Africa about the end of October last; if he will give full particulars of this occurrence, including the cause of the disappearance, and the names of those aboard; and what provision is being made for their dependants.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Yes, Sir.

The tug "Faidherbe" is presumed to have foundered with all hands. An inquiry into this loss is a matter for the Australian or South African Government. I have asked to be informed of the results of any inquiry that may be held. Meantime I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the detailed answers, so far as I know them, to the hon. and learned Member's questions.

I am sure that the House will join with me in expressing deep sympathy to all affected by this tragic occurrence.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does the Minister not realise that this was a British ship, which flew the Red Ensign and had aboard a crew of Britons with British dependants, and that he really cannot exculpate himself in the way in which he is trying to do, but must accept his responsibilities?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I somewhat resent the suggestion that I am exculpating myself or anyone else in this matter. If the hon. and learned Member will study the answer which is being circulated, he will see that this was an Australian ship and, under the Commonwealth Shipping Agreement, 1931, it was agreed—as long ago as that—that inquiries into occurences of this kind should be either by the Government of the Commonwealth country where the ship is owned, or the Government of the country nearest the territorial waters in the proximity of which the occurrence took place. For me to undertake an inquiry would be a breach of that agreement.

Hon. Members

Withdraw.

Mr. Hector Hughes

On a point of order. In view of the unnecessary complications which the Minister has introduced into this matter, and the unsatisfactory nature of his reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

Air Commodore Harvey

On a further point of order. In view of what the hon. and learned Member said, and the very insulting remarks he made, is it not right that he should withdraw them, having been given a very satisfactory reply?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. and learned Member made a suggestion that the Minister was trying to exculpate himself. I cannot say that that is un-Parliamentary, but if the hon. and learned Member intended anything offensive in that, I am sure he would be one of the first hon. Members of this House to withdraw it.

Mr. Hector Hughes

I had no intention of being insulting to the Minister, but I do say that the tenor of his reply was an attempt to exculpate himself and his Department from responsibilities and obligations placed upon them.

Mr. Speaker

We cannot carry this further.

Following is the answer: The tug "Faidherbe" was bought last June by the Adelaide Steamship Co., Ltd., of South Australia from a French company. She was taken over at Dakar. On her delivery voyage to Australia she called for certain repairs and drydocking at Capetown, from which she sailed on 24th October. On the following day, when she was eight miles south east of Cape Agulhas, she developed a serious boiler leak and asked for assistance. The tug "S. G. Stephens" and Me s.s. "Clan Stewart" went to her aid but could not locate her. Unidentified wreckage was found on the 27th. The search, in which aircraft took part, was abandoned late on that day, and the "Faidherbe" was presumed to have foundered with all hands. Wreckage identified as belonging to the "Faidherbe" has since been found. As "Faidherbe" was owned by an Australian company, was not registered in the United Kingdom, and was lost off the coast of South Africa, an inquiry is a matter for either the Australian or the South African Government. Reports suggest that "Faidherbe" may have been overwhelmed by huge seas when she was lying stopped with a heavy list. There were fourteen men on board. Their names are:
  • William A. Hearle, Plymouth.
  • Thomas Greenough, South Perth, Australia.
  • Robert R. Whiteford, Rothesay, Bute.
  • Douglas S. MacRae, Kyle of Lochalsh.
  • James V. Hewson, Oxford.
  • Peter J. Robinson, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire.
  • Arthur Topley, Leeds.
  • John K. Canister, Wallsend-on-Tyne.
  • Anthony F. Taylor, Dunstable.
  • Philip Harmer, North Auckland, New Zealand.
  • George R. Patterson, Widnes.
  • John B. Gould, Sheffield.
  • Christopher Hurst, Capetown.
  • Cyril Calvey, Darwen, Lancs.
 As to the last part of the Question, apart from any benefit to which those concerned may be entitled under the National Insurance Acts, this is a matter between the company and the dependants.