§ 41. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that, at the inquiry into the fatal accident on 5th October, 1955, in the Government Fisheries Research ship "Kathleen", of which details have been sent to him, it was stated that the ship was not suitable for the type of work she was doing and that steps are being taken to remedy this unsuitability by building a new research ship of different design; whether men are still working in this ship in the same dangerous conditions as Mr. Frost, the man who was killed; and what provisions are now being made for their safety.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. James Stuart)No statement was made that the ship was unsuitable for the work that she was doing, and neither the sheriff nor the jury made any observations to that effect, or to the effect that conditions were dangerous. While greatly regretting this fatal accident, and sympathising with Mr. Frost's relatives. I do not think that the crew of the "Kathleen" faced any greater danger than other seamen. The system of working was in fact the same as that used on commercial fishing vessels; nevertheless a handrail and step have been fitted to assist the crew to step over the winch rope, and the posting of an additional man at the winch controls when seine net gear is being hauled has been authorised.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the insertion of that handrail to which the Secretary of State has just referred indicate that the ship was unsuitable in that respect for the work which Mr. Frost was obliged to do? Does the Secretary of State not realise that when he sends men to work in an unsuitable ship at the risk of their lives, he owes to them and their dependants the added duty of seeing that they do not suffer injury, or, as in this case, death?
§ Mr. StuartAs I said, I sympathise most sincerely, but accidents do happen. As the sheriff said, nobody saw this accident and nobody knows how it occurred. The operation has been carried out hundreds of times.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I shall raise the matter in another way at the earliest opportunity.