§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about the report of the formal 4W investigation into the loss of the trawler "Wyre Victory".
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe Court of Formal Investigation into the loss of the Fleetwood trawler "Wyre Victory" on 14th January 1976 found that the immediate cause of the casualty was the complete lack of attention to navigation which was substantially contributed to by the availability and excessive use of unauthorised alcoholic drink. As a direct result the "Wyre Victory" struck a rock within a quarter of a mile of the Oigh-Sgier (Hebrides) lighthouse and sank four hours later. It was largely fortuitous that the casualty did not result in loss of life.
The "Wyre Victory" casualty once more focuses attention on the dangers of heavy drinking on board fishing vessels which has for long been an acute problem. My right hon. Friend is glad to note the court's recommendations en the question, which cannot be too strongly emphasised. There can be no doubt that where large quantities of alcoholic drink are taken on board illicitly and are freely available to the crew this can constitute a serious and self-imposed threat to the safety of the vessel and life at sea. The report draws particular attention to the heavy responsibility which rests upon owners and unions alike to co-operate in a determined effort to stamp out unauthorised drinking at sea. My Department's Working Group on Discipline in the Fishing Industry recommended that it should be made an offence to bring unauthorised liquor on board a fishing vessel or to be in possession of such liquor aboard.
The Government have already indicated their intention to introduce legislation to implement this and other recommendations of the working group as soon as practicable. In the meantime the industry is urged to take the action recommended by the working group and now substantially endorsed in the "Wyre Victory" report.