§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funds he has allocated to meet the costs of legal representation for(a) the QC acting on behalf of the Marine Safety Agency and (b) his own Department at the inquest into the deaths following the Marchioness disaster scheduled for March 1995.
§ Mr. NorrisNone. Officials from the marine accident investigation branch and the Marine Safety Agency will attend the inquest if requested to do so by the coroner. They will be legally represented if asked to attend and if necessary, but proceedings in coroners courts are usually informal and are concerned with the facts surrounding a death rather than issues such as civil or criminal liability. Legal representation is therefore generally unnecessary.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what basis he would be prepared to open a public inquiry into the Marchioness disaster; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisWe do not consider that it would be appropriate or necessary to open a public inquiry into the loss of the Marchioness. The marine accident investigation branch has carried out a full and thorough investigation into the disaster and its report has been published.