HC Deb 13 June 1907 vol 175 cc1581-2
MR. MAJOR SEELY (Liverpool, Abereromby)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state the names of the three coastguard stations which have been closed this year, and the dates on which they were closed.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

The three stations are: Downderry, closed 25th March, 1907; Cahore, closed 1st May, 1907; Catterline, closed 15th May, 1907. The necessary orders had in all cases been given some months earlier.

MR. MAJOR SEELY

May I ask my right hon. friend whether these dates are not all subsequent to the pledge he gave me that no coastguard stations would be closed till the subject had been discussed in the House?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

The pledge which I gave to the House was that no further orders would be issued till the House had an opportunity of considering the Question. The orders to close those stations were all given long before I gave that pledge.

MR. MAJOR SEELY

Can my right hon. friend say how many orders there are now outstanding?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

I will give my hon. and gallant friend an Answer if he will put his Question on the Paper.

MR. MAJOR SEELY

Is the number large or small?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

I should not like to give a definite number, but I do not think they are many. I will find out and give the hon. Member the number privately this afternoon.

MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

Do any of these orders refer to Ireland?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

They all refer to Ireland, I think.