8. Dr. Bennettasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in the interests of safe navigation, he will cause to be displayed more prominently than at present the flag signals which indicate movements of shipping out of Portsmouth commercial basin into Portsmouth Harbour.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Airey Neave)The display of these signals is a matter for the Portsmouth Corporation in consultation with the Admiralty. I am bringing my hon. Friend's suggestion to the notice of these authorities.
Dr. BennettIs my hon. Friend aware that the signals as hoisted at present are all but invisible to even an experienced shipmaster entering from outside the harbour, and that any ships entering on flood tide are quite unable to stop if they find a commercial vessel coming out round that particular corner? Will my hon. Friend consider either the repeating of such signals on the Round Tower, Sally Port or on Pickfords Wharf, or a different but appropriate signal being hoisted on Fort Blockhouse, which is visible from a long way off?
§ Mr. NeaveWhile my right hon. Friend has no power to direct the Corporation to display these flags more prominently, I will bring to its notice the suggestion my hon. Friend has made.