§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any official recognition was taken of the collision between the Channel packet "Le Nord" and the steamer "Lockwood" on 1st March last; whether witnesses of the collision from amongst the passengers have given evidence at any inquiry; whether the collision took place in clear bright weather in broad daylight and four miles distant from Dover, and not two miles, as stated to Board of Trade representatives; whether, despite the fact that distress signals were 1182W flown from the "Le Nord" during the hour between the collision and her arrival in port, no notice was taken of them by the harbour authorities at Dover, nor was help sent until the "Le Nord" was practically in harbour; whether it was proved that the collision was not observed from Dover; and, if so, how did the railway authorities account for the delay in the arrival of the boat to scheduled time; and what steps; he proposes to take to prevent such disasters in the future?
Mr. BUXTONA sworn deposition; relating to the collision between the "Lockwood" and "Le Nord" was obtained by the Receiver of Wreck at Dover from the second mate of the "Lockwood," who was in charge of that vessel at the time, and particulars of the-casualty were obtained from the agents of both ships by the chief officer of the coastguard at Dover. I am informed that the proceedings in the Admiralty Court in this case will commence next month, but I do not know whether it is proposed to take evidence from passengers. The collision is stated to have taken place at 2.55 p.m. in clear weather, but there appears to be a difference of opinion as to the exact distance from Dover at which the collision occurred. As I stated in this House on the 25th April, the collision was not observed from Dover; but I am informed that it was immediately reported to Dover from St. Margarets by telephone, and that the tug "Lady Crundall" was at once despatched to render assistance. After the collision the "Le Nord" proceeded under her own steam to Dover and' arrived at the harbour entrance at 3.9 p.m., just as the "Lady Crundall" was steaming out to meet her. The "Le Nord" was only nine minutes after the time at which she was expected to arrive. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea apply to the ships of all nations.