§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will set up a public enquiry to establish the cause of the sinking of the Belgian trawler "Tijl Uilenspiegal" and the death of five of the crew, near Blackpool on the night of 5th March 1989, and if not why not.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)The Department of Transport will not be setting up a public inquiry into the loss of the "Tijl Uilenspiegel". The casualty occurred, so far as is known, some 25 miles off shore. It is not the department's normal practice to investigate casualties to non-United Kingdom vessels that occur outside our territorial waters. The Belgian maritime authorities are undertaking an inquiry into the loss of the "Tijl Uilenspiegel" and will keep the department informed.