§ COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, If Regulations have been lately issued by the Irish Board of Lights forbidding lighthouse keepers to retain boats at their stations; and, if so, could he so modify the Regulation as to afford the families of the lighthouse men reasonable opportunities of attending Divine Service, attending school, and calling for medical assistance in cases of emergency?
§ THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)The Commissioners of Irish Lights, some years ago, found that the habit of lighthouse keepers absenting themselves from their station in boats was often the cause of interruption to the service and of danger to the men themselves. They, therefore, decided to prohibit the keeping of boats at lighthouse stations. The matter was again under consideration in 1885, when the Commissioners saw no reason to alter their former decision. To meet cases of emergency, a system has been arranged by which keepers can communicate by signal with the shore.
§ COLONEL NOLANasked if there was any provision made to enable them to attend Divine Service and school?
§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSsaid, the only opportunity that could be afforded would be the one which arose when a steamer called at the lighthouse bringing provisions and other necessaries. The Commissioners could not alter the Regulations they had made prohibiting boats being constantly at lighthouses for the reasons he had stated.
§ COLONEL NOLANAm I to understand that they are to have no oppor- 889 tunity of attending Divine Service or school?
§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSsaid, these Regulations related to the time when the men were on duty.