HC Deb 03 December 1906 vol 166 cc565-6
* MR. COCHRANE (Ayrshire, N.)

On behalf of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Croydon, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is intended to abolish or reduce the coastguard.

MR. LAMBERT

I must refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. friend the Secretary to the Admiralty to a Question asked by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland on 21st November.†

* MR. COCHRANE

Is this reduction part of the general naval policy of the † See (4) Debates, clxv., 813–4. Government, and is it to be carried out step by step?

MR. LAMBERT

The hon. Gentleman will find a full Answer in the replies of my right hon. friend.

MAJOR SEELY (Liverpool, Abercromby)

May I ask whether the Admiralty, in deciding this question, will bear in mind the large part played by the coastguard in life - saving at sea? Many of our lifeboat crews depend on them for notification of wrecks.

MR. LAMBERT

I am sure any suggestion from my hon. friend will be carefully considered by the Admiralty.

LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)

Have any orders connected with the reduction yet been issued?

MR. LAMBERT

No, Sir.