§ 21 and 22. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will now make the statutory instrument necessary to apply the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction contained in the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, to the courts of the Isle of Man;
(2) if he will now make the statutory instrument necessary to apply the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction contained in the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, to the courts of Jersey.
§ Miss BaconAs my right hon. Friend has stared in reply to previous Questions by the hon. and learned Member, he considers, as his predecessors have done, that it is for the island authorities, if they so wish, to take the initiative in this matter.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWould the right hon. Lady draw the attention of the authorities in the Isle of Man and Jersey to the fact that, unless courts are given this enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction, if there is a disaster such as the "Torrey Canyon", there can be no arrest of a sister ship in these courts and no recovery of damages? Would she also point out that Guernsey has adopted this enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction?
§ Miss BaconThe two islands are well aware of the position, and I do not think that they need this pointing out. As the hon. and learned Gentleman says, the step has already been taken by Guernsey, but it is up to the two islands to decide on this matter for themselves.