REMEMBERING HMY IOLAIRE

Early day motion 1825, tabled 12 November 2018 by Angus MacNeil (Scottish National Party). Signed by 67 members.

That this House remembers that more than 200 sailors lost their lives when HMY Iolaire sank on 1 January 1919 as it approached Stornoway Harbour bringing sailors home from the war, just yards from shore and within sight of home; and commends all those in Na h-Eileanan an lar involved in events to commemorate this tragedy, including the publication of a book The Darkest Dawn by local historian Malcolm MacDonald and the late Donald John Macleod, commissioning of music, exhibitions involving local historical societies, improving access to the existing memorial and the erection in Stornoway town centre of a plaque and a cairn containing a stone from the home area of each of those lost; and notes the involvement of Young People in the Dileab project which culminates in an event in the Nicolson Institute involving more than 200 performers from throughout the islands, Comhairle nan Eilean and the Iolaire Working Group for its work in raising awareness of this tragedy which remains one of the worst maritime disasters in UK waters in the 20th century.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 31, Labour 18, Conservative 10, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 2, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.