§ MR. E. H. BAYLEYI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the conditions under which Local Authorities issue licences to boatmen; whether he is aware that any person applying is granted a licence without question or examination; and if he will take steps to impress upon Corporations and Local Boards the desirability of making some inquiry as to the fitness and capacity of the parties claiming boatmen's licences?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERThe Public Health Act, 1875, empowers Urban Sanitary Authorities to licence the proprietors of pleasure boats and vessels and the boatmen or other persons in charge. The Act does not, however, prescribe the conditions under which such licences are to be granted. The Local Government Board have very little information as to the conditions which are imposed by Local Authorities. They are not, however, aware that persons applying are granted licences without question or examination. The Board, in a Memorandum prefixed to their model bye-laws on the subject of pleasure boats, state as follows:—
In every case where a person applies for a licence to act as a boatman or person in charge of a pleasure boat or vessel, the Urban Authority may be recommended to require the applicant to produce satisfactory evidence of good character and of experience in the navigation and management of similar craft. It will also be proper to distinguish in the licence the class of boat or vessel for which the licence may be regarded as a qualified boatman. In the case of sailing-boats or vessels it is especially important that the licence should clearly indicate that the qualification of the person licensed entitles him to the responsible charge, or that he is only authorised to act in the capacity of an assistant to the boatman in charge.