§ 17. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that a Regulation has been recently issued forbidding the crews of lightships to receive visitors on board, and in view of the solitary life these men are obliged to lead and the hardships attending their occupation, he can see his way to modify the Regulation, so as to permit them to receive relatives and friends on hoard?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)The Trinity House, with whom I have been in communication. inform me that the question of permitting visitors to board Light Vessels is one that has in the past been carefully considered by them on several occasions. They came to the conclusion that the conditions as to weather were so uncertain, and the difficulties attendant on boarding Light Vessels were such, as to render it inadvisable for the practice to receive official sanction. In the event of a casualty occurring, the Lighthouse Authority might be held responsible, whilst the boarding of Light Vessels by visitors, without restriction of any kind, might well lead to an interference with the duties of the crew and the rest which they require to enable them to discharge those duties by day and night.
§ Captain GEEWhy is it that the keepers of lighthouses are allowed to receive visitors and the keepers of lightships are not?
§ Captain MACDONALDIs it not a fact that the privilege as regards relatives has been cancelled by the Order to which I refer?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThis is a matter entirely under the administration of Trinity House. I will ascertain from Trinity House, in regard to lightships, whether the applications of bona fide relatives receive sympathetic consideration. If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a Question on this (lay week, I will endeavour to give him an answer.