THE EARL OF AIRLIEasked His Majesty's Government whether they will have inquiries made into the general conditions in the Lighthouse Service, more especially at the lighthouses situated at Chicken and Bell Rocks, where very close confinement is continuous for six weeks with only two weeks of shore duty, which includes twenty-four hours' journey by sea and train for replacement of reliefs; and whether they will consider recommending that this period should be reduced from six weeks to four, in view of the fact that the majority of the men are married.
§ THE PAYMASTER-GENERAL (LORD MACDONALD OF GWAENYSGOR)No. My right honourable friend the Minister of Transport has no reason to believe that an inquiry into the general conditions of the Lighthouse Service is necessary. He is satisfied that adequate machinery exists for discussion of conditions of service and of grievances through the Whitley 1241WA Councils or the appropriate trade unions. As regards the lighthouses at Chicken and Bell Rocks, the Commissioners of the Northern Lighthouses have informed me that they have not received representations as to the period of duty on these two lighthouses. In the view of my right honourable friend no question of making a recommendation arises.