§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Power whether the public inquiry into the loss of the "Sea Gem" and the consequent loss of life will be held as a formal investigation under the powers given by the Merchant Shipping Acts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeI am advised that the powers given in the Merchant Shipping Acts would not apply in this case because the "Sea Gem" was not a "ship" within the meaning of those Acts. The inquiry will therefore be non-statutory, but I expect to receive the full co-operation of the parties concerned.