§ MR. HEDGES (Kent, Tonbridge)To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the letter addressed to the Ruler of Pilots by Mr. A. Owen, of Trinity House, requesting pilots to make use of a steam vessel to be placed off Dover for the purpose of landing; and, in view of the fact that seventy boatmen and their families are dependent on this service for their livelihood, whether he is prepared to take any steps in the matter to prevent unfair competition by the Trinity House with a deserving class of boatmen, many of whom are members of the lifeboat service.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I am informed by the Corporation of Trinity House that with a view of improving the working efficiency of the pilotage service and in the interest of shipping generally, they are about to station a steam pilot vessel off Dover for the purpose of supplying pilots to vessels bound to Dover, and of taking pilots out of vessels leaving that port, and the London pilots have been requested, when they require to quit outward bound vessels in that locality to avail themselves of the advantages and facilities afforded by such steamer. The Corporation add that while this arrangement may lessen the demand for the services of boatmen in putting pilots ashore, it will not do so to the extent feared by the hon. Member. I am not aware that the Board of Trade have any power to interfere with the discretion of the Corporation in the matter.