§ MR. NIELDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what coastguard stations there are in the United Kingdom, excluding detachments, whose complements have been reduced by 33 per cent. or more, either temporarily or permanently, with the names of each class respectively; and whether it is in the contemplation of the Admiralty at some future date, and approximately how soon, to have these stations filled up to their proper complements.
1122 I beg also to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty when the respective coastguard stations excluding detachments, whose complements have been reduced by 33 per cent. and upwards, were so reduced respectively; and whether, in the opinion of the Board of Admiralty, the continuance of these stations in their present state of reduced numbers is compatible with the efficient performance of the many important and arduous duties which devolve upon the service.
§ MR. McKENNATo answer the hon. Member's Questions fully, it would be necessary to call for Returns from all coastguard stations; but I suggest that it would be desirable to postpone these and similar Questions until the Report of the Inter-Departmental Conference promised by my right hon. friend the Lord President of the Council, has been presented to Parliament.