§ 2.37 p.m.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question of His Majesty's Government of which I have given them private notice—namely, whether His Majesty's Government have any statement to make on the road accident at Chatham yesterday evening which involved a party of Royal Marine Cadets.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE CO-ORDINATION OF TRANSPORT, FUEL AND POWER (LORD LEATHERS)My Lords, His Majesty's Government were greatly shocked to hear of this terrible accident, and we should like to express our deep sympathy, and, I am sure, the sympathy of all your Lordships, with the relatives of the boys killed and injured, as well as with the injured boys themselves. A message of sympathy has also been sent by the Admiralty. His Majesty's Government propose to use their powers under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to hold an early inquiry into the accident. Meanwhile, I do not think that it would be advisable for me to make any further comment.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMay I thank the noble Lord for his reply, and associate noble Lords on this side of your Lordships' House with the expression of sympathy he has just uttered on behalf of His Majesty's Government?