§ Mr. McNamaraasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether it has now been decided to set up the special inquiries into the loss of the Hull trawlers "St. Romanus" and "Kingston Peridot"; and when he expects they will make a report;
(2) if he will give further details of the period of time between the last communication received from the" Kingston Peridot" and the setting up of the search.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuWith deep regret, I now have to presume that the overdue trawlers "St. Romanus" and "Kingston Peridot" are lost. I have today ordered preliminary inquiries into20W both casualties. The preliminary inquiries will be followed by formal investigations. I take this opportunity to convey my sympathies to the relatives of those who were lost.
As regards the time scale between the" Kingston Peridot's" last 'Communication and the setting up of the search, there appears to be some conflict of information. Such questions will be looked into during the investigations.