§ 53. Mr. Cockeramasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the low rate of use of the Communication Assistant facility offered to large tankers in the River Mersey during the recent experimental period; and if he will now consider making this service a compulsory requirement for all ships of over 80,000 tons draught weight and/or 45-foot draught, in view of the density of shipping in that area.
§ Mr. NobleThe Pilotage Authority has reported the results of the first year's working of this voluntary arrangement and we propose to hold a meeting of interested parties to review the situation. I have no powers under the Pilotage Act to make the service compulsory.