§ MAJOR SEELY (Liverpool, Abercromby)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the consequences of any abandonment of the coastguard stations of Great Britain on a large scale, and especially the difficulty of maintaining the various organisations for the saving of life from shipwreck in the event of the coastguards being withdrawn, he will undertake that no further reductions or abandonments of stations shall be made until this House has had an opportunity of discussing the matter.
§ MR. GODFREY BARING (Isle of Wight)I beg also to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the telephonic communications established round the coasts of the British Isles for the purpose of saving life from shipwreck are worked entirely, or almost entirely, by His Majesty's coastguard, and 654 that some portions of this system of coast communication have already been relinquished in consequence of the abandonment of certain coastguard stations, he can undertake that no further action shall be taken by the Admiralty in the direction of reduction of the coastguard until opportunity for discussion in this House has been given.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNo further orders for closing of coastguard stations will be issued before the Estimates are introduced next year, as the whole subject is being considered by an Inter-departmental Committee.
§ MAJOR SEELYasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he was aware that there had been very serious inconvenience, especially on the coast of Northumberland, in carrying out the arrangements for saving life.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONsaid he would be glad if his hon. and gallant friend would let him have any information in his possession on the subject.
§ MR. GODFREY BARINGinquired if during last year there were no fewer than 300 launches of the lifeboats made by the coastguard in cases of emergency.
§ *MR. SPEAKERNotice should be given of such a Question.