§ MR. BODKIN (Roscommon, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Commissioners of Irish Lights strongly recommended the Board of Trade to sanction an allowance of 4s. per week to the men on Lough Swilly Station to take them to their place of worship on Sundays, which the Board of Trade refused to sanction; 807 whether the Commissioners also strongly recommended the Board of Trade to sanction an allowance of £8 to the Rev. John O'Leary, P.P., for two vessels to the keepers at Tearaght, both of which requests were refused by the Board of Trade; whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the reason (if any) of such refusal; and, if possible, have the strong recommendations of the Commissioners of Irish Lights carried into effect; and whether he will take steps to have that Body re-organised on a representative basis?
§ MR. MUNDELLAFor several years past the Board of Trade have felt themselves obliged to decline to sanction special allowances of this description, which if permitted in Ireland could not be refused in England and Scotland, and would have to be extended to all denominations. The constitution of the Irish Lights Commission is regulated by Statute, and can only be altered by an Act of Parliament.
§ MR. BODKINI may say the last paragraph of the question as it appears on the Paper has been so altered that it does not express my meaning. Will the right hon. Gentleman give the Board effective control and re-organise it for the purpose? Are the matters to which the question refers not within the authority and jurisdiction of the Board of Lights?
§ MR. MUNDELLAWe ask the Board to make recommendations and suggestions. They have no absolute power to spend money.
§ MR. BODKINThen their authority is entirely confined to making recommendations?
§ MR. MUNDELLACertainly.