§ 33. Mr. Garry Allighanasked the Minister of Transport what machinery his Department employs to enable River Thames pilots to present their grievances to the Elder Brethren of Trinity House; and whether he is satisfied that such machinery is adequate.
§ Mr. BarnesThe pilots make their representations to Trinity House through the Ruler of Pilots or through the Pilotage Committee which meets weekly, and on which there is an elected representative of the pilots. These arrangements seem to me adequate.
§ Mr. AllighanIs the Minister aware that the pilots of Gravesend are suffering under severe grievances which they cannot call to the attention of the Elder Brethren because they have to go through the medium of the local ruler of pilots, who interprets the title very literally and suppresses grievances so that the men are never heard? Could the Minister call for a report on local conditions?
§ Mr. BarnesIf my hon. Friend will give me any evidence on this point I will look into the matter, but usually the best way of dealing with these problems is through the representative of the body of persons affected.