HL Deb 26 June 1962 vol 241 cc815-6
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, may I ask a Question of which I have given Private Notice: namely, to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement about the death of cadet Jones at Dartmouth?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, cadet Jones was drowned after the dinghy in which he was sailing cap-sized during a race at Dartmouth on Thursday, June 21. A Board of Inquiry has been convened, and its report will be considered by the Admiralty in due course. I should like to express my deep sympathy to cadet Jones's parents.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I hope that the report of this inquiry may be delivered fairly soon. I live in the district from which this cadet comes, and the Press reports have given people serious concern about what happened, as to the lack of equipment and so on. I hope that these things will be brought out and proved or disproved at the inquiry.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, that is what the Board of Inquiry is for. But I think I ought to say, in view of what the noble Viscount has said, that the reports on the accident which have reached the Admiralty do not show that there was anything wrong with the safety arrangements.