§ 4. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what Governmental provision is made for the protection and salvage of shipping and seamen round the coasts of Britain; who carries out these duties on shore and at sea; and what are the wages, allowances, pensions and conditions of service of the persons who do this work.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply which I gave him on 20th March.
§ Mr. HughesWould it not be desirable and practicable to combine the lifeboat service with the coastguard service for three good reasons: first, to improve the conditions of service of these gallant men; second, to give them the enhanced status of national servants; and third, to make them all pensionable? They deserve it.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI would certainly agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman that the members of the lifeboat service deserve everything that they can get for being some of the bravest men in this country, but I hope that he is not suggesting that we should do away with this very wonderful voluntary organisation.