§ MR. BOND (Dorset, E.)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the Admiralty telegraph wire, connecting St. Aldhelm's Head with the post office at Corfe Castle, will be available for summoning lifeboat, or other assistance, in case of wreck, or apprehended wreck; and, if so, whether arrangements can be made for keeping open the post office connection during stormy nights, thus obtaining its assistance in summoning either the Swanage or Kimeridge lifeboats during the whole night, as well as keeping up communication with Poole and Weymouth two hours later than under present arrangements?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)The Admiralty are anxious to do all in their power to assist the hon. Member in his praiseworthy efforts to diminish the loss of life from shipwreck, and readily give permission for the use of their telegraph wire between St. Aldhelm's Head and Corfe Castle for this purpose; but, as the hon. Gentleman will understand, they have not the complete management of this telegraphic communication in their own hands. I am, however, informed by the Postmaster General that arrangements can be made for keeping 1577 open the necessary connection at Corfe Castle, provided that the small expenses involved are defrayed by the Lifeboat Institution. If this proposal meets the views of the institution, the Admiralty will give directions for the Coastguard to co-operate, as far as is compatible with the performance of their own duties, in any arrangement that may be proposed for carrying out this good object.