§ 13. Mr. Guy Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the collision which occurred on the River Thames on the evening of Friday 30 January in the vicinity of Greenwich.
§ Mr. EyreAt 1918 hours on Friday 30 January the United Kingdom registered vessel "Blackthorn" and the Panamanian registered vessel "Frederika I" were in collision on the river Thames in dense fog. The "Blackthorn" remained afloat and was subsequently secured, but the "Frederika I" sank shortly after the collision. I am pleased to say that no lives were lost and all crew members survived the experience without injury.
My Department is carrying out a preliminary inquiry into this casualty, which will be completed as soon as possible.
§ Mr. BarnettMay I pay tribute to Mr. Graham Barnard who, as a result of the courage that he showed, was to a large degree responsible for rescuing three of the people who were in the river after the collision? May I also mention the speedy way in which Greenwich district hospital accepted those affected as patients? May I ask that the inquiry be a thorough one to ensure that incidents of 13 this kind do not happen again on the river Thames, particularly in that area of the river, where the currents are exceedingly dangerous?
§ Mr. EyreI should like to associate myself with the hon. Gentleman's tribute to the staff of Greenwich district hospital and to join him in praising the gentleman to whom he referred. I believe that great credit was due to a waterman and a tug skipper who acted with initiative and skill in bad conditions in assisting the crew of the sunken vessel. The hon. Gentleman emphasised the importance of the inquiry, and I agree. When we have had the opportunity to consider the terms of the preliminary inquiry, we shall consider whether a formal investigation should take place.