§ MR. W. F. D. SMITH (Strand, Westminster)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been arrived at with reference to the number of men on the establishment of the Coastguard; and whether, if at any time it is decided to reduce the establishment, he can give an undertaking that no reduction will be made at those stations where the Coastguard are now employed in assisting in the saving of life at sea.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.The further Report of the Inter-departmental Conference has not yet been received by the Admiralty, but in the meantime no reduction will 1074 be made of coastguard stations at which assistance in life-saving has hitherto been rendered.
§ MR. W. F. D. SMITHIs it to be understood that no reduction will be made before next year's Estimates are introduced, or before the House has an opportunity of discussing any further reduction?
§ MR. MCKENNAI cannot say what the results of the Conference will be. But no reduction will be made before next year, and I anticipate the House will have some opportunity of discussing it early next session.
§ MR. W. F. D. SMITHDid not the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor give a promise that there should be no further reduction until the House had had the opportunity of discussing it?
§ MR. MCKENNAI will look into that matter. I am not familiar with the terms of the pledge.