§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the name and qualifications of any assessor appointed to assist Mr. Hayes in his inquiry into the Marchioness disaster; if he will indicate the manner in which that inquiry will receive representations and conduct its business; and if it will be in public.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMr. Hayes has two advisors assisting him with his inquiry. His safety advisor is Mr. Mike Henderson, who is the site manager of the north Tees works of ICI Petrochemicals. He is a chartered engineer, a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and a member of the Institute of Petroleum. Captain Nic Rutherford is the inquiry's marine advisor, and is retired, after a seagoing career with BP. He is a past master of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, and is a former general secretary of the International Federation of Ship Masters Associations. He has been assessor for the Court of Appeal and the Admiralty court.
The inquiry is not being held in public. Mr. Hayes has sought written submissions from interested parties and individuals and has invited interested parties and individuals to offer oral evidence to the inquiry. The precise conduct and form of the inquiry are a matter for Mr. Hayes.
§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will add to the list of incidents to be considered by the Hayes inquiry into the Marchioness disaster the collision of the dredger Bowtrader with the northern terminal of the Woolwich free ferry on 30 January 1988.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI shall be pleased to draw this incident to the attention of Mr. Hayes.