MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, inasmuch as the recommendations unanimously endorsed by the Commissioners as a means of saving life at sea involve a very small estimated cost, the Government intend without any further delay to carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commission upon electrical communication with lighthouses and lightships made in December last?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI informed the right hon. Gentleman a few days ago that a Committee had been appointed to consider and report on the best means of carrying out the recommendations of the Royal Commission. I am advised that they have now the whole matter under consideration, and will report soon after Easter. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that no unnecessary delay will take place.
MR. JAMES LOWTHERIs it the case that a letter addressed by the Treasury to the Board of Trade practically refusing to carry out the bulk of their recommendations has been communicated to the Commissioners; and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman lay it on the Table of the House?
§ MR. MUNDELLANo, I cannot lay it on the Table. It is one of several communications and is a Departmental letter.