§ MR. E. H. BAYLEY (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the total number of men employed in the Coastguard Service, the rate of wages, and the total annual cost; whether they could be advantageously employed in manning steam life and salvage boats for which they are qualified; and whether a percentage charged upon the salvage would fully cover the cost of the undertaking?
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. E. ROBERTSON,) DundeeThe number of petty officers and seamen in the Coastguard Service provided for this year is 3,879; their wages and allowances vary from 2s. 11d. to 4s. 6d. a day, and the total amount of wages and allowances is £150,956 for the present year. It would be highly inconvenient to divert the Coastguard men from their regular duties for the purpose suggested. The saving of life and property from wrecks is already an important part of their duties.