§ 30. Mr. LOGANasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the annual cost of maintaining the W/T direction-finding station at the Lizard and why it is proposed to close this station, which is an aid to the safe navigation of ships entering the English Channel; whether he is aware that on the coast of the United States of America there are many direction-finding stations and that no charge is made for giving a ship or vessel its bearings; and if, in view of the assistance in navigation provided by the direction-finding stations, he will abolish the fee of 5s. for each bearing supplied?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe net cost of maintaining this station is between £3,000 and £4,000 per annum. The reason for closing the station is that the use made of it is not sufficient to justify the heavy annual cost to the Exchequer, especially in view of the fact that. additional capital expenditure would have to be incurred in the near future. As promised in the Board of Trade announcement of 18th January last, the possibility of providing an alternative service from Land's End 940 radio station has been examined, and, while the tests have not yet been completed, the information obtained indicates that such a service can be given. I am aware that direction-finding facilities are given by the United States authorities without a specific charge to each ship, but I do not think there is sufficient reason for departing from the general policy followed in this country as regards these and similar services to shipping.