§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade what assistance has been requested from the Panamanian authorities relating to the sinking of a Panamanian-registered vessel in the River Thames.
§ Mr. EyreThe Panamanian authorities have made a formal request to be associated with my Department's inquiries into this casualty, which also involved a United Kingdom registered ship.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many crew were on board each of the vessels "Blackthorne" and "Frederika I" which were in collision on the River Thames; and whether river pilots were on board.
§ Mr. EyreThe manning on the "Blackthorne" was the master plus eight crew, and on the "Frederika I" the master plus four crew.
A pilot was on board the "Blackthorne".
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will establish an inquiry into the collision between the British ship "Blackthorne" and the Panamanian vessel "Frederika I" on the River Thames on 1 February.
§ Mr. EyreAn inspector has already been appointed under section 465 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 to carry out a preliminary inquiry into this casualty.