HC Deb 27 July 1891 vol 356 c407
MR. WEBB (Waterford, W.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that within the past few days one of the lightkeepers on Tuscar lost a hand through an accidental explosion of gun cotton, and would have remained some 16 hours without surgical attention but for having been taken off by the Cephalonia, whether, for use in cases of accident or shipwreck, Her Majesty's Government would consider the propriety of establishing telegraphic or telephonic communication with the more important of the lighthouses situated on rocks and islands round the United Kingdom?

*THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH, Bristol, W.)

I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the account of the accident referred to, as given by the hon. Member; but the injured man was, as a matter of fact, promptly taken off for surgical treatment, and I do not think this particular case could be quoted in support of the necessity of establishing the communication to which the hon. Member refers, however desirable it may be on other grounds.