Harbour of Refuge, North Devon and Cornish Coast (Hansard, 13 May 1964)

§ 38. Mr. P. Browne
asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has now received from the local interest concerned regarding the need for a harbour of refuge on either the North Cornish or North Devon coast; and what action he is taking.

§ Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett
In addition to representations from my hon. Friend and other hon. Members we have received representations from a number of local authorities and other interested bodies. In response to these representations we are once again examining, but without commitment, the case for a small harbour of refuge on the coast of North Devon or North Cornwall to help yachts and other small craft.

§ Mr. Browne
May I ask my hon. and gallant Friend whether he is aware that his Answer will give great pleasure to many people who ply on the sea between the ports of Devon and Cornwall? Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that I made representations initially in 1960 to the Minister of Transport on this matter, at which time he told me that he would have nothing to do with this? Why has there been a change of heart, for which we are very grateful?

§ Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett
My hon. Friend would be making a mistake if he assumed that my right hon. Friend would necessarily himself sponsor a scheme for constructing such a harbour. As my hon. Friend must know, representations on this subject have been made at intervals for more than 100 years. I must be frank and say to him, as I said to a deputation of hon. Members who came to see me about this the other day, that we are inclined to doubt whether the need for a harbour of refuge has in fact increased in this period. However, we are seeking the views both of the coastguards and of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and I think that we have to wait and see what they say.

§ Mr. Awbery
Will the Minister state whether he has considered the case that was put to him by a deputation of hon. Members referring to Clovelly, and in particular to the opportunities for launching a lifeboat, and will he state what reply he made?

§ Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett
That is one of the matters that we have under consideration, and that is why we are consulting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

§ Mr. G. R. Howard
I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend's excellent mastery of history, but he was just four years out in his reference to the first representation, which was in 1859. This matter has been under consideration for a long time. In reference to the hon. Member's question about a lifeboat station at Clovelly, before going to a good deal of expenditure on this matter, and coming to a firm decision, could not the Government spend some money on producing tidal models of the various areas in North Devon and Cornwall?

§ Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett
I must make it clear to my hon. Friend that at the moment we are considering the question of a certain stretch of coast, which is one of several stretches round our shores where there is no natural harbour to which small craft in distress can go. What we are not satisfied about is that there is any greater need for it now than there was, as my hon. Friend stated, in 1859.

§ Mr. Browne
On a point of order. In view of that unsatisfactory and most extraordinary reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.