§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade what inquiry was concluded into the loss of the British vessel "Union Crystal"; what conclusion it reached; what action he took; and how many lives were lost.
§ Mr. SproatThe "Union Crystal", which was owned in the United Kingdom but registered in Singapore, foundered on 16 November 1977 some 12 miles off Cape Cornwall with the loss of 5 lives whilst on voyage from Belfast to Poole with a cargo of rock salt. My Department prepared a report, the facts of which were provided to assist the Singapore authorities who, as the flag State, carried out the preliminary inquiry into the loss of the vessel.