§ MR. GILHOOLY (Cork, W.)asked the President of the Board of Trade, If it is a fact that Mr. Isaac Notter, of Crookhaven, has a monopoly of the boat attendance to the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse; if other inhabitants of Crook-haven have repeatedly offered to supply a better boat and crew on cheaper terms; and, whether, in future, the boat attendance will be thrown open to public competition?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA) (Sheffield, Brightside)The Commissioners of Irish Lights inform me that Mr. Isaac Notter, of Crookhaven, has had the carrying out of the boat attendance on Fastnet for over 20 years. Applications have, from time to time, been received for this contract; but the Commissioners have strong objections to intrusting this particular contract to inexperienced persons, owing to the danger of the service; and as the Fastnet is exceptionally difficult of access for reliev- 17 ing the light keepers and supplying them with provisions, the Commissioners are not at present inclined to disturb Mr. Notter in his contract.