HC Deb 09 May 1916 vol 82 cc464-6W
Mr. NORMAN CRAIG

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the smack "Irene," official number 94,595, was lost in foggy weather on the 13th March, 1916, after collision with the ss. "Mattawa," belonging to the Canadian Pacific Railway Company; that two of the crew of three were lost; and that the evidence at the inquest on the body of the master of the "Irene" challenged the sufficiency of the piston fog-horn and bell sanctioned by the Board of Trade; whether the Board of Trade has intimated a decision not, as at present advised, to hold a formal investigation; and whether he will reconsider this decision and hold an inquiry?

Mr. PRETYMAN

I am aware of this collision and the fatalities which unfortunately resulted from it, and I have seen a report of the inquest on the skipper of the "Irene," from which it appears that some questions were raised as to the efficiency of the fog-horn on the smack. The question whether a formal investigation should be ordered in this case is being considered.