SIR THOMAS DBWAR (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that, prior to the year 1896, it was the custom of the coastguard stationed at Fowey, Cornwall, to hold their practice with the rocket life saving apparatus at the Lerryn Regatta, on the Fowey River; and, in view of the instructive value of such exhibitions to persons residing in coast villages, can he arrange for the practice to be resumed at Lerryn Regatta; and will he consider the expediency of ordering similar practice to be held at other regattas when such a course can be adopted by the local coastguard without impeding the ordinary duties of the service.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) It is not considered that these exhibitions at regattas have any instructional value for the working of the rocket life-saving apparatus, nor are they desirable from a service point of view, and it is not proposed to resume the practice at the Lerryn or other regattas.