§ 45. Commander SOUTHBYasked the Prime Minister if he will set up a Parliamentary committee to make comprehensive inquiry into the whole question of the coastguard service?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. FL Smith)I have been asked to reply. I cannot at present add anything to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and gallant Member on the 4th November.
§ Commander SOUTHBYIn view of the fact that an adequate coastguard service is essential for the safety of mariners all round the coast of Great Britain, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to have this matter gone into at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. SMITHI think that my right hon. Friend promised to do that on the last occasion on which the question was put to him. All that he asked was for some more time in which to examine the terms of the inquiry.
§ Commander SOUTHBYIs he not aware that, while he is wasting time, delay is taking place?