§ 11. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the loss of the oil rig "Sea Gem" which was placed in the North Sea under licence from him and which was wrecked there recently with loss of life; and what precautions he plans to take to prevent the placing of other oil rigs at sea under licence from him and to prevent similar disasters.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeAs I have already announced, I am arranging a public inquiry into this tragic accident, the report of which will be laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. HughesWill my right hon. Friend make that report public as soon as possible? Is not this terrible wreck a reflection on the builders and navigators of the "Sea Gem"? Will he take steps to ensure that, in future, the builders are better selected and the navigators more careful where they take future oil rigs?
§ Mr. LeeAs I said, the results of the inquiry will be made public and I would rather not prejudge the issue at this point.
§ Mr. PeytonIs the Minister aware that we entirely endorse the answer he has given, that it is wholly deplorable to prejudge the results of the inquiry in the way in which his hon. and learned Friend has done? Would he further accept that we on this side of the House—I am sure I speak for the rest—would wish to express every sympathy with the relatives of those who so tragically lost their lives?