LORD MUSKERRYMy Lords, I rise to ask the noble Duke, who is representing the Board of Trade in your Lordships' House in the absence of the noble Marquess the President, a Question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether the inquiries promised by the Board of Trade into the cases of the "Freshfield" and the "Nutfield" have been held, and, if not, when they will take place.
THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Duke of MARLBOEOUGH)My Lords, the noble Lord is aware that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered, but the whole of the evidence necessary to be laid before the Court is not yet forthcoming. The ports from which the ships sailed were American, and it takes some time to get the information necessary to be laid before the Court. As soon as that information is obtained an inquiry will be held.