HC Deb 05 August 1918 vol 109 cc928-9W
Sir A. SHIRLEY BENN

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the status of sea-going pilots who hold masters' certificates; whether, during the period of the War, they are directly under the orders of the Admiralty; and has any recognition been made of the valuable services they have rendered to the country?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The status of a deep-sea pilot is not affected by his holding a master's certificate; when on duty a pilot is in responsible pilotage charge of the ship, and when off duty it is customary for pilots to be admitted to the privileges of the saloon, etc. During the period of the War pilots licensed by the Trinity House are under the orders of the Admiralty, conveyed through the Trinity House. Other deep-sea pilots have to conform to the general instruction issued by the Admiralty. Pilots are entitled to a badge if they have been at sea for not less than thirty days after having been mined or torpedoed.

Sir A. SHIRLEY BENN

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the number of casualties among sea-going pilots which have occurred during the war; how many pilots are prisoners of war in Germany; and whether they are treated, when holding masters' certificates, as masters or as junior officers?

Dr. MACNAMARA

As outside certain waters any person can act as a deep-sea pilot, information is not available in the Admiralty to enable a, complete reply to be given to my hon. Friend's question, but among Trinity House and Admiralty deep-sea pilots licensed by Trinity House the casualties are twenty deaths. In some other cases pilots have sustained injuries, due to having been mined or torpedoed, from which they have recovered. The figures I have just given do not include casualties amongst what are known as harbour pilots, of which, I regret to say, there have been a number. Two Trinity House pilots are prisoners in Germany. One is in an officers' camp, the other is interned at Ruhleben.