§ Mr. LoydenTo ask the Attorney-General (1) what steps were taken to avoid any possible conflict of interests when assessors were appointed to sit on the Wreck Commissioners inquiry into the loss of the MV Derbyshire;
(2) what criteria govern the appointment of members of Lloyd's Register to sit on a Wreck Commissioners inquiry when the ship under scrutiny had been granted a certificate by Lloyd's Register.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThose under consideration for appointment as assessors are asked to confirm that they have no connection with any known parties to the formal investigation which might give rise to a conflict of interest.
Any assessor for a formal investigation, including members of Lloyd's Register, must fulfil the criteria set out in the schedule to the Merchant Shipping (Formal Investigations) Regulations 1985 (SI 1985/No. 1001), and any other appropriate criteria relating to special skills or knowledge which the Lord Chancellor might set having regard to the nature of the casualty which is to be the subject of that inquiry.