§ 75. Mr. James Johnsonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the names of the members of the committee he has appointed for the independent inquiry to examine urgently all aspects of safety of deep sea trawling; and what are their terms of reference.
§ Mr. Crosland:I am glad to be able to announce that Admiral Sir Deric Holland-Martin, G.C.B., D.S.O., D.S.C. and Bar, has agreed to act as Chairman 372W of this Committee whose terms of reference will be to examine the major factors affecting the safety of deep-sea trawlers and their crews and to make recommendations. The Members of the Committee will include Mr. D. Basnett, Mr. N. I. Bond-Williams, Mr. J. A. H. Paffett and Professor R. S. F. Schilling. I hope to be able to announce the name of the remaining Member shortly.
Arrangements have been made for the Chief Inspectors of the Fishery Departments and the Chief Marine Surveyors of the Board of Trade to be available to assist the Committee.
In preparation for the Committee's work, I have also been considering, in consultation with the Minister of Technology, what research work on the safety of fishing vessels should be undertaken in addition to the work already in hand, both at the National Physical Laboratory, and internationally through the International Maritime Consultative Organisation.
§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he has yet received from the Industrial Research Council their report on the problem of survival at sea, including protective clothing, following the investigations in Iceland of their scientists into the survival of only one seaman, Harry Eddom, from the three trawlers which were lost in Arctic seas recently; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the committee he appointed to inquire into the recent wrecks of three trawlers in northern seas with the loss of all their crews except one man and into the relevant mission to Iceland of a member of the staff of the Medical Research Council to collect scientific data as to means of saving life at sea.
§ Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu:I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) about the composition and terms of reference of the Committee of Inquiry into trawler safety.
As regards the mission to Iceland, I assume my hon. and learned Friend is referring to the visit of Dr. Pugh of the 373W Medical Research Council. Dr. Pugh has now returned and has prepared a report. I understand that his findings will be made available to my right hon. Friend and to the Committee of Inquiry.