§ MR. ORR-EWING (Ayr Burghs)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of foreign subjects who hold certificates as pilots at ports in Great Britain and Ireland, and the number at each portp; and whether he can say if any foreign country grants certificates as pilots to British subjects
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURFrom in formation received by the Board of Trade last year from pilotage authorities it appears that at that time there were seventy-three masters and mates holding pilotage certificates who were foreign subjects; of these forty tour were in the London district, ten in the Trinity House outport districts, seventeen at Hull, one at King's Lynn and one in the Clyde. I am informed by the Foreign Office that in France, Marseilles is the only place where pilotage certificates are granted to British maters of vessels. I have no information as to the practice in other countries.
§ * GENERAL LAURIEDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any action on this matter?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNot as at present advised.