§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department has taken arising out of its preliminary inquiry into the collision between the British coaster "Redthorn" and the Liberian tanker "Elphia" in the English Channel; and what contribution the Liberian authorities made to the inquiry.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineA formal investigation under Section 466 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 has already been ordered into this casualty and a date and place will be announced as soon as possible. The Department will take any appropriate action on the report of the court. The Liberian authorities cooperated with the Department during the preliminary inquiry.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has completed its preliminary inquiry into the collision between the British vessel "Royston Grange" and the Liberian tanker "Tien Chee"; what further action is being considered; whether the Argentine and Liberian authorities have completed their inquiries; and whether their reports will be made available.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to 515W a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) on 26th October, 1972. The Argentinian inquiries are still in progress and it is not yet known whether a report will be published. The Liberian inquiry is now due to open in New York on 22nd January next and a report is expected to be published. The Department has completed its preliminary inquiry, and its decision whether to hold a formal investigation will be made in the light of a report by its officials on the Liberian court's proceedings.—[Vol. 844, c. 436.]