HC Deb 22 December 1938 vol 342 cc3089-90
61. Mr. Kelly

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of lighthouses which are manned by two men, and the number with three men?

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley)

The number of lighthouses under the management of the three general lighthouse authorities on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland which are manned by two men is 61, and the number manned by three men 105.

Mr. Kelly

Is consideration being given to increasing the number of lighthouses manned by three men; and could not more frequent changes be made, instead of what we have seen happening during recent weeks?

Mr. Stanley

I understand that the question of the manning of these lighthouses is under constant review. With regard to what happened last week, the difficulty was to make a change at all.

Mr. Kelly

Will the right hon. Gentleman acquaint himself as to whether this question is under frequent review; and could he not arrange, apart from periods such as we have just been through, for more frequent changes to be made, say at least once a month?

62. Mr. Kelly

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of hours of duty performed weekly by each light-keeper at a lighthouse manned by two men?

Mr. Stanley

The nominal hours of duty by each light keeper at a lighthouse manned by two men are 84 per week. Between noon and lighting-up time, that is, approximately sunset each day, the light keeper on duty is only required to be on the premises, except where the station is equipped with a fog signal, when he is expected to keep a general lookout for fog. During fog, the two keepers would work watch and watch.

Mr. Kelly

Do these hours include the period which is termed the watching period; and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain how many hours over 84 per week are worked by these men?

Mr. Stanley

I think the figures include the periods which are known as watching periods, but I will look into the matter.

Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

Can the right hon. Gentleman say exactly where these people go when they are not on the premises, in their leisure time?