§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the danger to fishing boats caused by the wreck of the Ss. Harold, which is lying submerged off the North Rock, Portavogie, County Down; and whether, considering the 539 frequent complaints made by the fishermen as to the danger to life and property caused thereby, he will consider the desirability of having the wreck removed?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe Commissioners of Irish Lights, in the interests of general navigation, placed in May last a buoy to mark the position of the wreck of the Harold, and issued a notice to mariners to that effect. Under the Removal of Wrecks Act, the Commissioners and not the Board of Trade would be the authority to act if they thought the wreck to be an obstruction or danger to navigation, and by their action in May it is to be assumed that removal is not, in their opinion, necessary. I am now in communication with the Commissioners in the matter.