§ Mr. MACLEANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any request for an inquiry being held into the loss of the the motor-ship "Joseph Medill," which sailed from Newcastle-on-Tyne on 10th August; and whether he can state if this ship was provided with wireless and, if not, what reason is given for permitting her to sail without the provision of wireless equipment?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANRepresentations have been received on this subject and the circumstances attending the loss of the "Joseph Medill" are being investigated. The ship was built for employment on the Great Lakes and was to be entered upon the Canadian Register. Accordingly, His Majesty's Government in Canada are being consulted as to the holding of a formal investigation. The vessel was not equipped with a wireless installation. Exemption was granted in accordance with the provision of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, that a cargo ship not normally engaged on international voyages but which, in exceptional circumstances, was required to undertake a single voyage of that kind, could be exempted.