§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware of the explosion which occurred on 17th November in the fishing trawler "Isernia" in Scottish waters which as a result had to seek aid from a lifeboat and which was towed to port by the Aberdeen 225W trawler "Dalewood"; how many and why the explosion occurred; how much and what kind of damage was done as a result; and how many fishermen were injured thereby.
§ Mr. MasonA fire occurred in the stokehold of the Grimsby trawler "Isernia" when she was about 15 miles east of Peterhead. Extensive damage was caused in the stokehold. None of the crew was injured; nine of them were taken off by the Peterhead lifeboat and the remainder stayed on board while the ship was towed to Peterhead. The cause of the tire is not yet known but I am making the normal inquiries.