§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an urgent statement on the incident involving the fishing boat Antares and a royal naval submarine off the coast of Arran in the early morning of 22 November; if he will institute an inquiry into the incident; and what action he is now taking to ensure there are no further similar incidents.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMy hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces made a statement to the House on 23 November about this incident. An inspector from the marine accident investigation branch commenced an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the fishing vessel Antares on the same day. A separate inquiry is being carried out by the Royal Navy. The results of these inquiries will be given urgent consideration to see what lessons can be learnt.