Mr. J. JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst the general lighthouse service staff of Trinity House in consequence of the great delay in dealing with the re-organisation scheme for the department, and the fact that this has not yet been laid before the Whitley Council; and whether, although the staff of Trinity House are not technically civil servants, it would be possible to treat the staff more generally in accordance with regulations governing comparable bodies of employés in ordinary Government Departments, particularly in regard to such matters as the discharge of temporary staff, and rates of pay and conditions of service of quasi-permanent, unestablished, workshop, and depôt classes?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am not aware of the dissatisfaction referred to. The question of the re-organisation of the Trinity House staff is being dealt with as rapidly as possible, having regard to the complicated issues involved. The principles laid down for, the Civil Service are now applied, so far as is possible, to the classes to which the hon. Member alludes, and these principles are also being followed in dealing with the re organisation scheme.