§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the improvement of the coastguard service, with special reference to the position on the West Coast of Scotland and the Hebrides, and on the general position in relation to a possible war emergency?
§ Mr. CrossSince the Coastguard Committee reported in 1931, the Board of Trade have continued the development of the coastguard on the lines recommended by that committee.
On the West Coast of Scotland and in the Hebrides there are now 23 stations, five manned by coastguards and 18 manned by part-time members of the Coast Life Saving Corps. Life-saving apparatus has been supplied to all these stations, many of which are in isolated places in the outlying islands.
The necessary arrangements have been made to adapt the coastguard organisation to war conditions, if required.