§ Mr. SOARESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the circumstances under which the French ketch "Andrée" was wrecked in Bideford Bay on the 21st instant; whether the look-out on the coast failed to observe any signals of distress, although the captain of the ketch asserts that such signals were exhibited by him for the space of two hours in broad daylight; whether it is proposed to hold any inquiry into the matter; and, if so, whether such inquiry will embrace the question of the efficiency of the look-out stations in the neighbourhood of the wreck?
Mr. TENNANTThe Board of Trade have received a deposition by the master of the vessel and a report from the divisional officer of coastguard on the circumstances attending this wreck. The vessel was observed by the coastguard look-out at Dounend and Westward Ho, but no signal of distress as prescribed by the international code was exhibited, and the flying of the French flag at half mast was taken to mean that there had been a death on board. I see no reason for further inquiry into the matter, as the efficiency of the look-out appears to be well established.
§ Mr. SOARESfurther asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the manner in which the crew of the ketch "Andrée" were saved by Mr. Fred Prance, the skipper of the Bideford trawler "Deera," 869W and whether it is possible to make some official recognition of the pluck and smartness exhibited by Mr. Prance?
Mr. TENNANTThis case has not previously been brought to my notice, but inquiries are now being made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.