§ MR. PENROSE FITZGERALD (Cambridge)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken, up to this date, to connect by telegraphic or telephonic communication with the shore any of the lightships as recommended by the Royal Commission on 8th December, 1892?
§ MR. MUNDELLAOrders have been given to prepare the Kentish Knock Lightship for the reception of the cable without delay; and communication with the lighthouse of Lundy Island is being rapidly advanced.
MR. J. LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Are we to understand that the specific recommendations of the Royal Commission are to be disregarded?
§ MR. MUNDELLANo; the work is being done. We must proceed gradually, so as to find out what is the best thing to do.
MR. J. LOWTHERI do not think the right hon. Gentleman understands my question. The Royal Commission specifically recommended that certain lightships should be immediately connected. With the exception of the case mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, is that recommendation to be disregarded?
§ MR. MUNDELLANo. But we can only proceed with one at a time. The work could not be done like a private undertaking. We propose to try first the result on the Kentish Knock.
§ MR. PENROSE FITZGERALDIt is now the end of July, and the Report was issued at the beginning of the year, and we were promised that the vessels should be at once connected.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when the work will be completed?
§ [The question was not answered.]