§ 4. Mr. ALBERYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a Peninsular and Oriental steamer took the ground in the Thames Estuary last week, and that shoaling has been in progress in the vicinity of that grounding for a considerable time, owing to continued dumping by hoppers, in spite of the protests which have been made by pilots; and whether he can state what steps, if any, are being taken to remedy this danger to the efficiency of the Port of London?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI understand that a Peninsular and Oriental steamer took the ground in the Duke of Edinburgh Channel on her outward voyage on the 13th November, but sustained no damage. The attention of the Board of Trade has been called to the shoaling which has been occurring
§ Following is the table, promised:
§ in this channel, and it has been suggested that this shoaling is due to the deposit of silt and sludge in the authorised deposit area in the Black Deep. The matter has been carefully considered from this aspect, but the evidence at present available affords no ground for attributing the shoaling to these deposits or to causes other than natural. The Edinburgh Channel is known to have undergone in the last century periodical changes of a radical nature. The situation is being carefully watched.
§ Mr. ALBERYMay I ask that my right hon. Friend will consider whether the pilots are sufficiently consulted in such matters? They certainly have much practical experience.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes. There are consultations on all occasions when questions of this kind arise. There is most careful investigation by Trinity House and the Port of London Authority and ourselves in all these matters.
§ 5. Mr. ALBERYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether favourable consideration is being given to the request by Thames pilots that certain ships of specified dimensions and draught should be authorised to exhibit signals by day and by night, giving them the preferential right of way in narrow channels, with a view to insuring safer navigation for all classes of shipping in the Thames estuary and river; and if he is aware that this practice is already followed successfully on many Continental rivers, including the Scheldt and Elbe?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)I have been asked to reply. No representations on this subject have been made to the Ministry of Transport or the Board of Trade by the Thames pilots, but the Port of London Authority have recently submitted to the Ministry for confirmation a bye-law amending certain of their existing river bye-laws relating to sound signals for vessels. This bye-law will be advertised in the usual manner and will then, with any objections received, be considered by the Ministry in conjunction with the Board of Trade before it is decided whether to confirm the bye-law in its present form. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
Vice-Admiral Sir REGINALD HALLIs the House to understand that the control of pilots and navigation round the coast of England is handed over to the Ministry of Transport?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo. The Port of London Authority is dealt with by the Ministry of Transport, and that is why I am answering the question.