§ MR. M'CARTANI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the fog siren on Mew Island, at the entrance to Belfast Lough, whether the Commissioners of Irish Lights, after their long experiments, have yet come to a decision as to the improvements to be made; whether he is aware of the damage recently done to shipping on the county Down coast by reason of the inadequacy of the siren on Mew Island, and if he is aware of the constant dread of master mariners sailing to and from Belfast when entering or leaving Belfast Lough during a fog; and whether something will be done without further delay to remedy this dangerous defect.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (MR. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonAs the result of the experiments with fog sirens, recently made at Mew Island, the Commissioners of Irish Lights have, with the view of remedying the defect complained of, recommended that 261 a second fog siren be established at Mew Island. This recommendation, having been approved by the Trinity House, has been sanctioned by the Board of Trade, and I am informed by the Commissioners that the work will be proceeded with at once.