§ Mr. JOYCEI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, under the present circumstances, the time has not arrived when the Government ought to take strong action with the view of cancelling all the pilotage certificates held by alien masters or mates for ports in this Kingdom whose countries are not on friendly terms with this country; also whether the Admiralty will not at once put into operation the powers given to them in the Pilotage Act of 1913, with the view of safeguarding the country as far as possible in this respect?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The general question raised by my hon. Friend will receive attention. As regards putting in force Section 24, Sub-section (2) of the Pilotage Act, 1913—excluding districts from the operation of the provision allowing aliens in certain circumstances to have pilotage certificates—action is being taken in regard to certain ports. The ports include the approaches to the dockyard port of Rosyth, and when the order is made by the Admiralty excluding that district, all certificates issued to aliens since 1st June, 1906, will be of no effect in that district.
§ Mr. JOYCEWill the certificates be cancelled, which means that when the trouble is over these aliens would have to apply again, and we would be able to fight them?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI said that with regard to the dockyard port of Rosyth, when the order is made by the Admiralty excluding that district, all certificates issued to aliens to the 1st of June, 1906, will be of no effect in that district.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEWill the pilots who have these certificates be detained in this country?