§ SIR GEORGE DOUGHTY (Great Grimsby)I beg to ask the First Lord 260 of the Admiralty whether he is aware that about four years ago telephonic communication was established all round the coast of the British Islands with the coastguard stations, and the coastguards were required, when a ship went ashore or was in a dangerous position, to telephone to the nearest port, and in the case of fishing vessels to the owners or port of register for assistance; whether he is aware that this service has been invaluable to fishermen and the mercantile marine; whether this service is to be abandoned in the thirty-three coastguard stations that have already been closed this year; and, on the closing of the other stations, what steps, if any, will be taken to protect life and property by telephone service, as in many cases village telegraph offices are several miles from the shore and are not available during the night.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.The coast communication system was instituted in 1892, and a full explanation of the extent to which, and method in which, it has been developed by the Post Office is given in Appendix D. of Command Paper 4091; it does not embrace all coastguard stations nor is it made through them only. There is no doubt that the system has been, and is of value to the mercantile marine and to fishermen. Sixteen of the thirty-three coastguard stations closed this year were connected with the system. I understand that the General Post Office is making such arrangements as are necessary in the circumstances.