Mr. HAVELOCK WILSONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Board of Admiralty have yet considered the advisability of keeping in force the regulations with regard to compulsory pilot age introduced under the Defence of the Realm Act; and whether, in view of the importance attaching to the question and its bearing upon other matters in connection with the pilot age service of the United Kingdom, the Admiralty will consider the advisability of maintaining the present system of compulsory pilot age until such time as the whole question has been fully and carefully considered?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe matter has been carefully considered. Compulsory pilot age is being abolished at ports where it was introduced under the Defence of the Realm Act as rapidly as conditions permit. In fact the Admiralty do not consider it advisable to continue the present system of compulsory pilot age at those ports.