§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the recent fatal accident on the Aberdeen trawler "Ben Lui" off Ireland, as a result of which the skipper, Mr. John B. Henderson, was killed by a rocket; if he will state the result of the official inquiry into the incident, indicating the nature of the accident and the kind of rocket used; and what steps have been taken since to avoid such accidents in future.
§ Mr. MarplesThe result of the inquiries is to show that this unfortunate accident resulted from the rocket striking the ship's bridge-plating and recoiling. It formed part of a line-throwing appliance of an approved type which, if operated in accordance with the instructions supplied with it, is most unlikely to give rise to accident. Indeed, no similar accident has been known to occur.