§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the items of cargo carried on board the Herald of Free Enterprise at the time of her sinking whose carriage on board a passenger vessel breached regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellMy Department has been informed by the authorities in Belgium that although one lorry on board was carrying a cargo declared to be cyanide 5W solutions, they found it to consist of several drums and plastic pails containing substances that are banned from carriage in a passenger ship.
The Belgian authorities have asked for assistance in following up certain lines of inquiry in the United Kingdom. Since a prosecution is being considered in Belgium, it would not be proper to disclose further details.