§ Mr. THOMAS J. HEALYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, what previous experience the Inspector of Lights of the Irish Lights Board had in the working of the different kinds of machinery used in Irish Lighthouses before his appointment to his present position; whether it is the case that he was a master mariner on board one of the Irish Lights Board steamers before his present appointment, where he could have gained no experience to qualify him for such appointment; and, whether it has been brought to his notice that the lighthouse keepers have to instruct him in the working of the lighting machinery when he makes his inspections?
§ MR. BRYCEThe selection of their Officers by the Commissioners of Irish Lights is in no way under the control of the Board of Trade, but I am informed by the Commissioners that all machinery in connection with lights and fog signals is in charge, not of the Inspector of Lights, but of the Engineer. The Commissioners further inform me that the 1088 present Inspector, like his predecessor, was in command of one of their steamers, and that he held that command for 18 years before promotion to his present post.
§ MR. T. J. HEALYasked whether any particular body had any authority over the Irish Lights Board?
§ MR. BRYCEsaid, the Board of Trade had some authority over the Board in question, but not in regard to this point.
§ MR. W. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman or the Government would bring in a Bill, as had been promised, to revise the constitution of the Irish Lights Board?
§ MR. BRYCEdid not remember having made any such promise, but thought it might have been made by some one else—perhaps by the Chief Secretary.
§ MR. TIMOTHY M. HEALY (Louth, N.)asked upon what points had the Board of Trade any authority over the Irish Lights Board?
§ MR. T. M. HEALYI will put one to the right hon. Gentlemen on the subject.
§ MR. T. J. HEALYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the reserve provisions which, by an order of the Board of Trade, are required to be stored in Irish rock and island lighthouse stations on or before the 1st of October in each year, were not landed on the Slyne Head Lighthouse till the 24th of November, 1894, though the Irish Lights Commissioners sent their steamer round the Irish coasts in the month of August, 1894; and that there was plenty of room on board the steamer for the carriage of provisions; who is responsible for the disregard of the orders of the Board of Trade; and, whether he will direct an inquiry into the circumstances?
§ MR. BRYCEI am informed in a letter from the Commissioners of Irish Lights that it is customary for them to supply a reserve stock of provisions to rock lighthouses, before the commencement of each winter, and that these matters are regulated by them without reference to the Board of Trade, the officers of the Lighthouse service being responsible to the Commissioners for the proper discharge of their duties, with 1089 which, in the matter of the supply of reserve provisions to the Slyne Head Lighthouses, the Irish Lights Commissioners had no fault to find. In this matter the Irish Lights Commissioners are not responsible to the Board of Trade, and the Board of Trade have no power to issue such order as is referred to. I see no reason whatever for any inquiry.