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contains Vickers' building yard. There are fixed defences at all these five latter places, and the establishment of an Examination Service to work in conjunction with the defences would appear very desirable in view of the importance of keeping fairways clear from obstacles. The effective blocking of the exits from Cardiff, Barry, and Penarth would disorganise the whole coal supply of the fleet in war, and the blocking of the exit from Barrow would cut off the sea communication to one of the most important building yards in the country.
In view of the above considerations their Lordships consider that the question of establishing an Examination Service at Cardiff, Barry, Penarth, Swansea, and Barrow should be considered by the Home Ports Defence Committee as soon as possible.
At the remaining six ports there are no defences, and therefore no Examination Service would be effective unless carried out by armed vessels; but from a war requirement point of view these six ports are not of very great consequence.
3. With regard to Question (c), it was not intended to limit the exports to foreign countries only, but to include coastwise trade.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
The Secretary, Committee of Imperial Defence, 2, Whitehall Gardens, S.W.
W. GRAHAM GREENE.
APPENDIX V.
The Secretary, Customs and Excise. (No. 20315/1912.)
Custom House, London, E.C.,
July 8, 1912.
Circular to Collectors (Customs) and Officers in Charge.
IN order to enhance the value of the Coast Guard as a revenue-protecting force by affording them facilities for acquiring practical experience of Customs work in connection with the boarding and rummaging of ships, a Coast Guard rating is to be allowed to join a Customs boarding or rummaging crew at any time and at any place desired by the Station Officer.
While accompanying a Customs crew the Coast Guard rating will be temporarily under the directions of the Preventive Officer, who will not, however, interfere with his liberty to leave the ship as soon as he desires to do so.
The frequency and regularity of Coast Guard visits for this purpose will depend upon the extent to which members of the local Coast Guard force can be spared from their ordinary duties. At some ports it is to be expected that the Station Officer of Coast Guard will consult the Collector or Officer in charge with a view to arranging for regular periodical visits. At other ports, where only occasional and irregular visits are practicable, the Station Officer will inform the Collector or Officer in charge beforehand when a Coast Guard visit is contemplated, in order to fix the time and place of the rendezvous with the Customs crew.
As far as is consistent with the requirements of the regular work of the port, Collectors and Officers in charge should fall in with any suggestion made from time to time by the Station Officer as to the particular ship or ships to be selected for a joint Customs and Coast Guard visit.
By order of the Board,
J. P. BYRNE.
E. C. CUNNINGHAM.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY 6, 2. HARRISON.—1/5,′1918.
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