§ Mr. SUMMERBELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the suicide at sea on 2nd November, 1908, of an Asiatic trimmer, Fozore, on ss. "Indus," of London; whether any inquiry has been held; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining the ship; whether he had any previous sea service; whether the Board of Trade surveyors have satisfactorily reported in the ventilation of the stokehold; if he can state the amount of coal the firemen and trimmers were called upon to work each 24 hours; and whether any previous cases of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this ship?
Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir; inquiry was held by the Consul at Paramarito in the case referred to by my hon. Friend, and further inquiry will, if possible, be held on the return of the vessel to this country. I am not aware whether the man had been medically examined or had had previous sea service. As the vessel is trading abroad the Board of Trade surveyors have not yet had an opportunity of reporting on the ventilation of the stokehold. The coal consumption was 30 tons per day, and the number of firemen and trimmers was 19. No previous case of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance in this ship has been reported during the last three years.