§ Mr. Alisonasked the Minister of Power what progress has been made in the matter of an official inquiry into the loss in 1965 of the oil exploration rig "Sea Gem"; when publication may be expected; and if he will make a statement,
§ Mr. MarshMr. Roland Adams, Q.C., will open the inquiry at 10.45 a.m. on Tuesday, 7th March, and 6, Burlington Gardens, London, W.1. His terms of reference will be to inquire into the causes of the accident to the drilling rig "Sea Gem" in the North Sea on 27th December, 1965, and the operation of the safety procedures applicable thereto laid down by the Minister of Power and to report to him thereon. Mr. Adams will be assisted by two assessors: Professor J. G. Ball, Head of the Department of Metallurgy and Professor of Physical Metallurgy, Imperial College of Science and Technology, and Mr. Archibald Walker, a leading marine consultant.
I cannot say when publication may be expected since the inquiry may take some weeks and further time will be needed thereafter for the preparation of the report.