§ 101. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the loss of the Grimsby trawler "Barry Castle" which sank off the coast of Iceland last week with the loss of four lives.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have so far little information about this casualty. I am informed that the "Barry Castle" sprang a leak on 1st November off the north-west coast of Iceland and sank in heavy seas at about 11.30 a.m. after being taken in tow by the trawler "Princess Elizabeth." Fourteen members of the crew were rescued by ships which had come to her assistance; I regret to say that four others were lost. I have ordered a preliminary inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Acts into the casualty. I am sure the House will join with me in expressing our sympathy with the relatives of those who lost their lives in this unhappy occurrence. I should like also to express my appreciation to all those who went to the assistance of the vessel and her crew.