§ 7. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether his attention has been called to the fact that when the Admiralty took over and requisitioned the steamers trading in the Thames the licensed Trinity House river pilots for exempted ships were deprived of their means of livelihood and are, in many cases, now on the verge of starvation; what steps he proposes to take to compensate these sufferers for the losses they have sustained; (2) whether, in view of the fact that the exempted Thames pilots, who are all over military age, have been deprived of their livelihood, he will take steps, in conjunction with the Trinity House authorities, to place all pilots on the River Thames on an equality under one body in order that they may share the work with other Thames pilots?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Wardle)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to these questions. The matters referred to had not previously been brought to my attention, but I am communicating with the Trinity House regarding them, and will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result in due course.