§ MR. DONAL SULLIVAN (Westmeath, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade in how many lighthouses off the coast of Ireland are the keepers deprived of the opportunity of attending religious services on Sundays; what would be the cost of making these lighthouses relieving stations; and if he will cause arrangements to be made by which the light-keepers on these stations will in future be permitted to attend their religious duties on occasional Sundays?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideThere are 10 rock stations off the coast of Ireland where the keepers are unable to attend a church on Sundays. I have received no estimate of the cost of making these stations relieving stations. I should be glad if some 1494 satisfactory arrangement could be made whereby light-keepers at rock stations could be afforded facilities for church attendance. There are, however, serious practical difficulties in the way. As I have already stated, the Commissioners of Irish Lights are quite aware of the desirability of making some of the more exposed lighthouses relieving stations, and the matter is under careful consideration.