§ SIR HENRY ROSCOE (Manchester, S.)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether the question that a pilotage certificate only should be granted to a British subject as proposed to be enacted by the Merchant Shipping Act (1854) Amendment Bill would be considered by the Committee which was appointed on Monday last to inquire into the subject of pilotage; and, if not, whether instructions would be given to the Committee to do so; and what course the Government proposed to adopt with regard to those certificates at present held by foreign masters or mates authorizing them to pilot their own ships under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)No doubt it will be in the discretion of the Committee to take evidence as to the question referred to by the hon. Member. As regards the latter part of the Question, I may say that, pending the inquiry, those masters and mates who already 401 hold certificates will continue to hold them.