§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has considered the Trinity House review of exemptions from compulsory pilotage in the Thames estuary; and if he will make a statement concerning their proposals.
§ Mr. Tebbit:After discussions with my Department, Trinity House has just published draft byelaws for exceptions from compulsory pilotage in the London pilotage district. If these were put into effect in their present form they would reduce most of the existing exemption limits from compulsory pilotage in the Thames estuary.
Under the normal procedure anyone who wishes to object to draft byelaws may do so within a stipulated period, and after I have received any such objections in this case I will seek the advice of the Pilotage Commission on any amendments that might be made in consequence. In view of my right hon. Friend's statutory duties in matters of this sort it would be wrong for me to comment on the draft at this stage.