§ MR. MURPHY (Dublin, St. Patrick's)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the numbers of Her Majesty's ships resorting to Bantry Bay, he will include a small sum in the Estimates for marking the entrance to Bantry Harbour, for want of which several of Her Majesty's 111 ships and boats have from time to time suffered damage?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingBantry Harbour is not largely used by Her Majesty's ships, but in view of their occasional visits and of the fact that the district coastguard ship lies there, directions were given in January last for a buoy to be moored on the extremity of the shoal east of Horse Island; and this order has been carried out. This is the only artificial mark considered necessary for the navigation of the harbour.
§ MR. MURPHYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is true, as stated in the Cork papers, that it is the intention of the Government to repair the fortifications in Whiddy Island, in Bantry Bay, and to station troops there?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE,) Lincolnshire, HorncastleNo, Sir; there is no truth in the statement.