§ Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has knowledge of the proposals made by the Bristol port authority for the introduction of choice pilotage at Bristol; and whether he will, either by local inquiry or otherwise, obtain the opinion of the Bristol pilots on this change before sanctioning the pro posals?
Mr. BUXTONI have received from the Bristol Corporation copies of by-laws which they have made with the object of introducing a system of choice pilotage at that port. Before the by-laws come into operation they will require confirmation by an Order in Council, and I am giving directions to the corporation to give notice by public advertisement of their intention to apply for such confirmation. Any objections elicited will be considered carefully by the Board of Trade, who will, if necessary, hold a local public inquiry before deciding whether to submit the by-laws to His Majesty for confirmation.