§ Major Petherickasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give to the flag-officers in charge concerned the same discretion in the issue of permits in relation to the immobilisation of small vessels along the coasts as they now have in respect of such vessels in the estuaries and rivers; and, if not, what are the reasons for refusal?
Mr. AlexanderNo, Sir. As the hon. and gallant Member has been informed the circumstance that access to the sea from many estuaries and rivers can only be obtained after negotiating various obstacles allows of the exercise of a discretion to grant permits for the use of small private and other craft in such waters. Much greater risks would, however, be involved in the case of vessels operating from the coast with direct access to the open sea.