HC Deb 01 December 1908 vol 197 cc1246-8
MR. GODFREY BARING (Isle of Wight)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that His Majesty's coastguard at Foreland, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, assist in the saving of life from shipwreck by watching the coast for wrecks, by assisting to launch the lifeboat, and by furnishing part of the crew of the lifeboat; whether His Majesty's coastguard at this place have actually performed valuable service in the saving of life on several occasions in recent years; and whether an order has been issued by the Admiralty to close this station immediately.

MR. MCKENNA

The answer to the first two parts of the Question is in the affirmative. The detachment, at which there are three men, is being closed to-day, but three coastguards will continue to reside at Foreland for duty at Culver Cliff signal-station.

MR. GODFREY BARING

Is the Tight hon. Gentleman aware that in March last the Secretary to the Admiralty gave an undertaking that no further coastguard station should be closed without the House having an opportunity of considering the matter?

MR. MCKENNA

I will look up that point. I no not remember the precise words used, but I would remind the hon. Member that in this case the three coast-guardsmen will remain in the same place.

MR. GODFREY BARING

Will they continue to perform the life-saving duties they have hitherto done?

MR. MCKENNA

Yes, if they choose to volunteer for them.

MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)

was understood to ask who would perform the duty of watching the coast.

MR. MCKENNA

That is to be undertaken in future by the Customs Service.

MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)

How can three men man a lifeboat?

MR. MCKENNA

There never were at the station more than three men at a time. They were at liberty to volunteer in assisting to man the lifeboat, and they will continue to be at liberty in the future. There has been no change in that respect.

MR. SOARES

And until the duty of watching the coast is taken over by the Customs will the coastguard do it?

MR. MCKENNA

The same duties will be performed by the three men at Culver Cliff station as were performed by the coastguard at Foreland.