HC Deb 20 December 1938 vol 342 cc2657-9
31. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it was that, at a time when 165 British vessels were laid up in the United Kingdom, including three on the Gareloch, and many other British ships, not laid up, were available for charter, the Government chartered 15 non-British shops, of which 11 were Greek vessels laid up at the Piraeus and elsewhere, and took up to 36 days to report at the port of loading, for the shipping of Rumanian grain purchased by the Government, from the Danube to United Kingdom ports; and whether he will order an inquiry into the circumstances?

Mr. Stanley

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chertsey (Commander Marsden) on 22nd November and to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel) on 6th December. I do not think that an inquiry is necessary.

Mr. Gibson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has caused grave disquiet in the public mind, particularly at a time when unemployment among seamen is verging on 20 per cent. and that the freights paid for these boats, which are known on the Baltic Exchange, are again causing grave disquiet and require an inquiry?

Mr. Stanley

I gave a very full answer, and I think the House felt that in offering preferential rates to British shipowners I have gone as far as possible.

Mr. Gibson

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 22nd October, when most of the Greek vessels were chartered, a British vessel was refused at the same rate, namely, 20s. per ton, and on the same day—

Mr. Speaker rose

—

Mr. Gibson

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

39. Mr. Hulbert

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of lighthouses and lightships around the coast of Britain are not equipped with radio transmitting installations?

Mr. Stanley

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Lighthouses and Lightvessels under the control of the Trinity House and the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses.
Total number of manned lighthouses 144
Number of lighthouses with land telephone communication available 101
Number of lightships 44
Number of lighthouses and lightships fitted or being fitted with radio transmission installations 33
Percentage of total number of manned lighthouses and lightships without electrical communications (i.e., land telephones or radio transmission installations) 30

40. Mr. Hulbert

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department will consider taking over the responsibility for the maintenance of the lighthouse, lightship, and other navigational warning service from the present authority?

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir. I consider that the present arrangements under which the superintendence and management of the lighthouses and lightvessels are vested in the General Lighthouse Authorities, subject to the financial control of the Board of Trade, are satisfactory.

41. Mr. Hulbert

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider introducing legislation to make the equipping of lighthouses and lightships with radio-telegraph and radio-telephony compulsory?

Mr. Stanley

The position in regard to the equipment of lighthouses and lightvessels with radio transmission installations is regularly under review and proposals for the equipment of particular isolated lighthouses and lightvessels are made from time to time by the General Lighthouse Authorities and are considered on their merits. Up to the present time 37 have been or are being so equipped.

Mr. de Rothschild

What would be the cost of equipping all lighthouses with radio?

Mr. Stanley

I cannot give the exact figure, but it would be a very substantial sum, running to many thousands of pounds.