§ 68. Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any steps have been taken by the Admiralty to preserve for the use of the public the old Coastguard paths round the coast in cases where the Coastguard patrol has been abolished; whether the Admiralty has a record of such paths; and if it will issue a statement showing their existing condition?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The Coastguard are authorised by Section 196 of the Customs Laws Consolidation Act, 1876, to patrol along any part of the coasts of the United Kingdom. The power given by this Act-is not exercisable in respect of particular paths, and the Admiralty have no power to preserve any paths in fact used by the Coastguard for the use of the public. The answer to the three portions of the question is therefore in the negative.