§ Major YERBURGHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, with reference to the recent regulations which have been introduced permitting tradesmen to travel to and from His Majesty's ships lying in or near Portland Harbour on board His Majesty's ships, picket boats, and drifters, and free of charge, he is aware that there are close on 100 watermen at Weymouth and Portland who have relied on taking such tradesmen to and, from His Majesty's ships as a means towards gaining their livelihood; and whether he will consider reversion to the previous procedure?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLVisits of traders from the shore to solicit orders on board His Majesty's ships is prohibited in order that the crews of His Majesty's ships should not be exploited by a few privileged traders at the expense of the others. Visits to His Majesty's ships by tradesmen delivering goods purchased on shore is permitted at the discretion of commanding officers, and it is not considered justifiable to burden the purchasers with the extra expense of boat hire. The present procedure has existed for many years, and has been found satisfactory. I may add that owing to the uncertain and infrequent use of Portland by the Fleet, it is not considered that conveyance of tradesmen to and from. His Majesty's ships for the delivery of goods purchased on shore offers a solution to the problem of the unemployment of watermen.