HC Deb 13 August 1907 vol 180 cc1048-9
MR. NIELD () Middlesex, Ealing

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any, and, if any, which, of the coastguard stations are at the present time short of men; if he will state, in relation to each, the number of men they are short, and for how long such deficiency has existed; and whether he proposes, and when, to fill up such vacancies.

MR. LAMBERT

I must refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to his previous Question on the 31st July. So far as the requirements of the Services are concerned the coastguard stations are not short of men.

MR. NIELD

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty which of the coastguard stations have been found in excess of present requirements, and to what extent; what reductions have been made in such stations respectively; and when were they effected.

MR. LAMBERT

The Return now being prepared on the Motion of the hon. Member for the Abercromby Division of Liverpool will give information as to the coastguard stations which have been closed as being in excess of present requirements. Sixty-eight stations have been closed, involving a personnel of 316. Thirteen stations have been reduced on an average about two per station.

MAJOR SEELY () Liverpool, Abercromby

When will the Return be issued? It was asked for months ago.

MR. LAMBERT

It is in the hands of the printers.

MAJOR SEELY

Will it be before Parliament rises?

VISCOUNT TURNOUR () Sussex, Horsham

In what way have the conditions altered so as to reduce the number of men required in some cases?

* MR. SPEAKER

That is a rather large question which hardly arises out of that on the Paper.

MAJOR SEELY

Will the hon. Gentleman endeavour to let us have the Report before the House rises?

MR. LAMBERT

We will make every effort to do so.

MR. NIELD

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what are the present requirements of the Board in relation to the complement of coastguard stations; whether any alteration has been made during the past two years in the standard of strength or of efficiency; and, if so, in what respect, and when was such alteration made.

MR. LAMBERT

The requirements of the coastguard stations as regards complements are determined generally now, as in the past, by the naval and revenue duties to be performed. The standard of strength varies from time to time.