§ Mr. Rowlandasked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he had with Lloyds in the week ended 26th March on the liability of and cost to the British Government if the "Torrey Canyon" had been fired by British forces during that week.
§ Mr. JayNone. But the Treasury Solicitor's representative discussed these aspects with solicitors representing the owners and insurers during the following week.
§ Mr. Rowlandasked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he had with the owners of the "Torrey Canyon" and its cargo in the week ended 26th March; and what view they expressed to the British Government on the course of action to be pursued in dealing with the effects of its collision.
§ Mr. JayNone, but in the week ended 26th March my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy held discussions with representatives of the owners of the "Torrey Canyon" and its cargo. Neither dissented from the view of the Government and Dutch salvage experts that there was a reasonable chance of refloating the vessel and that refloating would be the best way of minimising further oil pollution.