HC Deb 26 November 1990 vol 181 c623 3.39 pm
Mr. George Foulkes (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will recall that the Minister of State for the Armed Forces made a statement on Friday about the tragic sinking of the fishing vessel Antares. Since then it has emerged that a trainee commander was in charge of the submarine that brought down the fishing vessel and that there was a very long delay in alerting the rescue services. As the Clyde fishermen are now threatening to blockade the Clyde unless action is taken to stop underwater submarine activities forthwith, have you had a request for a further statement from the Minister to correct the errors and omissions that were made on Friday and in view of the increased urgency of this particular matter?

Mr. Speaker

I have not had any such requests. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I granted a private notice question about this important matter on Friday. It may be true that certain further information has come to public notice since then, but an inquiry is to be held, and no doubt that will be taken into account at the time.