Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been giving his attention to the Report of the Court of Inquiry into the loss of the steamship "Thistlemor," with a view to taking such steps as will minimise the danger of such losses occurring owing to the distress signals of ships being unseen or neglected?
Mr. BUXTONThe Report of the Court of Inquiry into the loss of the steamship "Thistlemor" has been receiving the careful consideration of the Board of Trade and the Admiralty, and action is being taken with the object of improving the arrangements for watching for distress signals and wrecks in Barnstaple Bay. The existing arrangements for watching on the coasts of the United Kingdom generally are, as I have already informed my hon. Friend, being ascertained by means of investigation locally. The Board of Trade are in receipt of reports covering a large extent of coast, and are taking steps with the object of strengthening the existing arrangements where necessary.