§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, in reference to his statement that his chief objection to the investigation, of the Trinity House Report on Lighthouse Illuminants was the expense which would be involved, Whether he has received an undertaking or guarantee from Mr. Wigham that the cost of that investigation would not exceed £2,000; whether Mr. Wigham had also previously offered his own services gratuitously in connection with the inquiry; whether he will consider the advisability of accepting Mr. Wigham's offer and his guarantee; and, whether the Board of Trade have received Memorials from shipowners of Liverpool, Belfast, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and other places; also from the authorities of Queenstown Harbour, repeating their demands made last Session that the Report of the Trinity House should be referred to independent authority for investigation?
§ THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)I would point out to the hon. Mem- 1727 ber that the question of expenditure was not the only one adverted to in my statement to which he refers. But if such had been the case, the Board of Trade, in the present condition of the Mercantile Marine Fund, could not sanction any expenditure not absolutely essential and necessary to meet immediate requirements, even if it were admitted to be otherwise expedient. As regards the last paragraph, I would observe that the bodies referred to have repeated demands on which the Board of Trade came to a decision last year.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLsaid, that in consequence of the reply of the hon. Gentleman he should, on going into Committee of Supply, call attention to lighthouse illuminants, and the action of the Trinity House in reference thereto.