§ MR. J. A. WILLOX (Liverpool, Everton)I beg to ask the President of; the Board of Trade whether certificates of competency are granted to aliens enabling them to act as pilots in the channels and ports of the United Kingdom; if so, whether, considering the danger to national safety which might arise in case of war from foreigners being trained in the intricate navigation of our Homo waters, Her Majesty's Government will take stops to prevent in future the certification of foreigners as British pilots in British waters?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe objections on the ground of national danger to the granting of pilotage certificates to masters or mates who are aliens was very fully considered in 1888 by a Select Committee of this House mi Pilotage. The Committee were of opinion that the granting and renewal from time to time of certificates to aliens should be continued, and I am not prepared to propose any alteration of the law on the subject.