§ 55. Mr. Boxasked the Minister of Transport whether he will initiate a full inquiry into the incident on the Beachley-Aust ferry on Sunday 18th November when a number of passengers narrowly escaped drowning, to ascertain what consideration was given to the safety factor in view of the weather conditions prevailing at the time.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettNo. It is not my information that the passengers narrowly escaped drowning. As regards the cause of the accident, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said in reply to the Question from the hon. Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Loughlin), on 26th November. I do not think that further inquiries would serve any useful purpose.