§ MR. MACLURE (Lancashire, S.E., Stratford)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If his attention was not called, in January last, by Mr. A. J. Lambert, to the suggestion that a steam tug should be stationed at the Mumbles Head for the purpose of saving life and property during bad weather; and, whether, considering the offer to supply coal for such a steamer gratis, he will order the experiment to be made?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)Although the Admiralty would be at all times desirous of sending any vessel that was available to the assistance of a ship in distress, the suggestion offered by Mr. Lambert is one that is outside their province, and is a matter rather for the consideration of the Board of Trade than the Admiralty. I understand that, with the view of facilitating Government co-operation, certain gentlemen have undertaken to provide gratuitously the coal necessary for such a vessel; and I assume that they would be ready 1577 to give that help to any public or local body that can provide the tug required.