§ MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty how many coastguards were employed at the thirty-three stations which have been closed during the present year; how much will be the saving that will be effected; and, on the closing of the stations, were arrangements made with the Board of Trade for the efficient working of the life-saving appliances in every case where they had been previously worked by the coastguards.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe reply to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is: Full complement, 173; actual numbers serving when stations were closed 136. I am unable at present to give a statement of the saving that will be effected. With regard to the last part of the Question, the Board of Trade expressed their concurrence prior to the stations being closed; none of these thirty-three stations were supplied with the life-saving apparatus.
§ MR. FELLasked whether the 136 men were to join the ranks of the unemployed. This could not represent a saving to the Admiralty of more than £2,000 or £3,000. Could not something be done for them?
§ MR. MCKENNAsaid that to answer that Question he would have to inquire into the status of each one of the men.