MR. "WILKIE (Dundee)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that by the regulations of the Trinity House, Leith, no one can be licensed to act as a pilot for the River Tay unless he has had at least three years service at sea in a square-rigged sailing vessel; and will he explain why two persons have been appointed who have not this length of sea-service while others have been refused.
§ THE PRESIDENT of the BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE, Carnarvon Boroughs)I am aware of the requirement referred to in the first part of the Question. The Trinity House, Leith, informs mo that they are unaware of any licences having been granted to persons who have not had the requisite sea-service, and if the hon. Member will give 1360 me the names of the two pilots to whom he refers I will make further inquiry in the matter and will let him know the result.
§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)Seeing that steam has so prominent a part, will the right hon. Genteman see that their sea-service is equally divided between steamers and sailing vessels?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI will look into the matter.