§ 58. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about Her Majesty's Fisheries Protection Vessel "Freya", recently lost off the coast of Scotland with some members of her crew, and indicate how the vessel was lost and what provision he intends to make for the dependants of the men lost.
§ Mr. MaclayThe Fishery Cruiser "Freya" foundered in heavy seas off Sarclet Head early on Friday, 9th January. She sank within a few minutes and I greatly regret that her commander and two of her crew were lost. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing10W my sympathy with the relatives. Seventeen officers and men got away in an inflatable life raft and were picked up later by a Belgian trawler. The cause of the sinking is being investigated by a technical officer of my Department with the assistance of officers of the Ministry of Transport, and a public inquiry will be held under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry (Scotland) Act. Gratuities under the Superannuation Acts will be payable to the legal personal representatives of the three men who lost their lives and a pension will also be payable to the widow and child of one of them. It is possible that benefits may also be paid under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1946, and supplementary allowances under the Injury Warrant, 1952, but these will depend on the determination of all the facts.