§ 5 and 6. Mr. ALBERYasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what, if any, are the regulations governing the use of British ports by foreign tugs operating in the neighbourhood of our coasts;
(2) what, if any, are the regulations governing the salvage of foreign vessels within British territorial waters, with special reference to the employment of British or foreign tugs?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere is nothing in the United Kingdom law and regulations to prevent a foreign ship which is in difficulty off our coast from calling for the assistance of any salvage ship or tug, British or foreign; there are no regulations which restrict the operation of foreign salvage ships or tugs in our waters, provided that any provisions of the Aliens Order which may apply are observed.
§ Mr. ALBERYWith reference to Question No. 5, may I ask whether there 1628 has been any consultation with the Home Office as to the question of foreign ships using British ports to obtain employment in British waters contrary to the "Aliens Order"; and, with regard to Question No. 6, whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that in some foreign countries a different attitude has been taken up in dealing with this matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid that the attitude taken up by foreign countries with regard to operation in their waters is not one that we are necessarily prepared to follow. With regard to Question No. 5, the Home Office are responsible for the administration of the Aliens Order and I have no reason to believe that they are not watching the administration carefully.