§ 4. Commander SOUTHBYasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the terms of reference and powers of the committee recently appointed to inquire into the efficiency and adequacy of the coastguard service?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. William Graham)The terms of reference to this committee are as stated in my answer to the hon. and gallant Member of Tuesday last, namely,
to inquire into the efficiency and adequacy of the present organisation for carrying out the coastwatching duties of the Coastguard Service, and to report what modifications, if any, in the organisation are, in their opinion, desirable.The committee has the full powers usually given to Departmental Committees and full authority within these powers to take whatever action may appear to them to be necessary for the adequate discharge of their terms of reference.
Commander SOUTH BYWill it be competent for the committee to go into the question of the preventive work performed by the coastguard service before the present system was introduced?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am not clear as to what the hon. and gallant Gentleman means. If he refers to smuggling, which he mentioned in a previous supplementary question, I have ascertained that that is a matter for the Customs authorities and not for the coastguard.
§ Commander SOUTHBYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the old coastguard performed other great services, and will it be possible for the committee to see whether this service is being adequately carried out?
§ Mr. GRAHAMOf course, this service was transferred, and it is not proposed to go back on that arrangement, but such duties outside actual coast watching as are now discharged by the coastguard service will, of course, he reviewed and, I presume, will continue.