HC Deb 24 July 1940 vol 363 cc770-2

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. GARRO JONES:

27. To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what authority exists for operating or extinguishing lighthouses to meet considerations which are the concern of the Admiralty, the War Office and the Ministry of Home Security, respectively; and who decides whether lighthouses are to be put out or not?

Mr. Garro Jones

On a point of Order. May I refer to this Question before putting it? Without wishing to add to the difficulties of the senior Ministers of the Crown, I addressed this Question to the Prime Minister—to be answered, no doubt, by the Lord Privy Seal—as it occurred to me to be pre-eminently a Question in which there was a balance of responsibility between three Government Departments. For example, lighthouses which are lit in order to guide convoys to certain channels can also guide enemy aircraft to attack civilian populations for which I have a special responsibility in the House. I want to ask, Mr. Speaker, whether you can, in your wisdom and discretion, ask Ministers to consider very carefully before they lightly reject Questions, which, after full consideration, have been addressed to the Prime Minister, and place them before a Department which is not able to take every aspect of the question into account, as in this case?

Mr. Speaker

My powers as regards that matter are limited. Questions must go to the Departments which are concerned with the subject.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Sir Victor Warrender)

Under Defence Regulation 44 the Admiralty gives directions for operating or extinguishing navigational lights on the coasts of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The requirements of the Service and Civil Departments concerned are fully considered in reaching decisions.

Mr. Garro Jones

May I ask the hon. Baronet whether, apart from the consideration which is given to the requirements of other Departments by the Admiralty, there is consultation with the other Departments concerned, in particular the Department of Home Security?

Sir V. Warrender

Yes, Sir. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that quite simple and effective machinery exists for paying proper attention to any representations which come before us.

Mr. Garro Jones

With great respect, that does not meet my point. May I ask whether, before authority is given for the maintenance of lighthouses by the Admiralty, the Admiralty consult the Department of Home Security, the Air Ministry and others responsible for Civil Defence?

Sir V. Warrender

Yes, Sir. I said in my original answer that in reaching a decision as to the maintenance or extinguishing of lights the interests and representations of other Departments are fully considered.

Mr. Garro Jones

With great respect, my point is not being met, and I want an answer to it. To say that interests are considered is not to say that the Departments are consulted. The initiative rests entirely with the Admiralty, according to the hon. Baronet's answer. I should like an assurance that the other Departments are actually consulted and their opinions sought.

Sir V. Warrender

I am sorry if I have not made myself clear. If the hon. Member would prefer me to use the word "consultation," I will do so. In reaching decisions the interests of other Departments are considered and they are consulted.

Sir William Davison

The Ministry said so before—half-a-dozen times.