§ SIR EDWARD BIRKBECKI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what course the Government intend to pursue as regards compensation to the pilots of this country whose incomes will be seriously diminished by the issue of pilotage certificates to foreigners under Clause I of the Merchant Shipping (Pilotage) Bill?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I think this question has been framed under a very exaggerated apprehension of the operation of Clause 1 of the Merchant Shipping (Pilotage) Bill. As it would at the most involve a return to the practice which prevailed for more than 30 years before 1886, I cannot see how any claim to compensation could arise.