MR. MACDONALD CAMERONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether it is true that at present there are no lighthouses on the west coast of Orkney; and, if so, whether he is prepared to recommend their erection?
§ *SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe only light on the west coast of Orkney is the light on Gremsa Island in Hoy Sound. The south-west coast is, however, guarded by lights on the north coast of Scotland and in the Pentland Firth. As to the erection of further lights, I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 28th March, 1889, to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland, and to state that since that date no proposals for the lighting of Orkney have been submitted to the Board of Trade; but I ought to add that the present financial condition of the Mercantile Marine Fund will not justify mo in sanctioning such a proposition, if made.