CONDUCT OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR DOVER AND THE HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE

That this House notes with regret that the honourable Member for Dover has refused to withdraw his deplorable comment that 'There was one simple, basic reason why the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' went down - alcoholism among certain members of the crew'; reminds the House that the investigation into the disaster by Mr Justice Sheen found no evidence that alcohol misuse was in any way connected to the sinking of the ferry; hopes that the honourable Member for Dover will take the opportunity to apologise to the families of those who died for his insensitive comments; notes that 6th March 1997 marks the 10th anniversary of the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' tragedy and sends its condolences to the families and friends of all those who died; and remembers the heroic and gallant rescue attempts by the crew, many of whom lost their lives.