§ 34. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that until recently local boatmen at Deal found employment in conveying pilots afloat and ashore, and that they have now been deprived of such employment through the use of cutters to do this work; and whether, in view of the fact that Deal and other coast resorts are suffering severely through the dearth of visitors, he will restore to the boatmen the opportunity of earning a livelihood by the conveyance of pilots?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe circumstances were represented to the Admiralty last April, and Trinity House was communicated with. As a result of the consideration given to the matter, the boatmen were informed that it was regretted that the exigencies of the public service in the district under existing circumstances did not permit of the reversion to the practice followed in peace time. The Admiralty regret that they are unable to modify this decision.