Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a communication from the Bristol Pilots' Association protesting against the exclusion of pilots' representatives from the examining board which grants pilotage certificates for the port of Bristol; and whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any action to preserve the right, previously enjoyed at Bristol and most other ports of the United Kingdom, by which pilots are represented on the boards which grant pilotage certificates?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe Board of Trade have received a communication on this subject from the Bristol Pilots' Association, and are inviting the observations of the Bristol Pilotage Authority upon it. I may remark, however, that the Board have no power to interfere with a pilotage authority as regards their mode of examining candidates for pilots' licences and pilotage certificates.
§ Mr. JOYCEMay I ask whether the Board of Trade will put into force the Act which compels pilotage authorities, where pilots have representation on the Board, to have pilots present at the examination?
§ Mr. TENNANTI will consider whether the Board does or does not do as the hon. Member suggests.