§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade when and where the emergency inquiry he has set up to inquire into the recent trawler disasters in the North Sea and Arctic seas will sit; who will conduct it; what witnesses will give evidence: whether the trawler officers and crews and their families will be legally represented; and what power it will have to award compensation.
§ Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu:I have announced that public formal investigations will follow the preliminary inquiries into the three trawler disasters. The arrangements for those formal investigations will be made as soon as the reports of the preliminary inquiries have been received.
As regards the special committee of inquiry into trawler safety, I shall announce the terms of reference and membership as soon as possible. It is customary for such committees of inquiry to invite evidence from anyone who wishes to give it.
Neither a court of formal investigation nor a departmental committee of inquiry has powers to award compensation.