§ MR. E. H. BAYLEY (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that subsequently to the discontinuance of telegraphic communication between the Sunk lightship and the shore, a ship, the Enterkin, was wrecked near the said lightship, and 28 persons drowned; that the signals from the lightship could not be seen owing to the fog; but that, had telegraphic communication with the shore existed, the 28 lives might have been saved; will he have the communication restored; and is he aware that by connecting it with the post office system and charging for messages, the undertaking can be made self-supporting?
§ MR. A. MORLEYMy Department has no official knowledge of the circumstances attending the wreck of the Enterkin, but it would appear that telegraphic communication with the Sunk lightship would not have been of any avail to prevent the sad loss of life which then took place. The wreck appears to have taken place on the North Galloper Sands, which are at a great distance from the Sunk lightship, and the signals of distress do not appear to have been noticed at that lightship. I would remind the hon. Member, however, that the whole question of telegraphic communication with lightships has been referred to a Royal Commission, whose first Report was presented to Parliament early this year, He will see, on reference to that Report, that the immediate restoration of communication with the Sunk is not proposed, but that telegraphic communication with the Kentish Knock lightship is recommended; and I may explain that the Kentish Knock is much nearer the scene of the wreck of the Enterkin.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Do I understand that the unanimous recommendations of the Royal Commission on this subject have been set aside?
§ MR. A. MORLEYNo, Sir; the right hon. Gentleman is misinformed. They have not recommended the restoration of communication with the Sunk.
§ MR. A. MORLEYYes, Sir.