HC Deb 19 February 1895 vol 30 cc1084-5
MR. H. S. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he can now state what steps have been or will be taken in reference to the wreck of the steamship Elbe, and the danger it offers to navigation and to the property of the fishing industry?

MR. M. M. BODKIN (Roscommon, N.)

Before the President of the Board of Trade answers that question, may I ask him whether, having regard to the statement already made that there is no public fund available for this purpose, he did not think that the object indicated in the question may be fairly left to private enterprise, and possibly a company promoted for that object?

MR. BRYCE

The question of my hon. Friend invites an expression of opinion from me which perhaps it would be scarcely in order for me to give. With regard to the question on the Paper the Trinity House inform me that they are not aware that the wreck of the Elbe constitutes a danger to navigation, and that the Mercantile Marine Fund is not applicable for the purpose of clearing away obstructions to fishing. The Board of Trade have no power whatever in the matter.

MR. H. S. FOSTER

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he did not inform me last week that he had a telegram from Lowestoft stating that one of the musts of the Elbe had been seen above the water, and whether, if that were so, whether it is not a danger to navigation and to the property of the fishermen, seeing that the wreck is situated in the very heart of the fishingbeds?

MR. BRYCE

What I said last week was that I had telegraphic information that the captain of a fishing craft made that statement. I did not say it was a fact, and subsequent inquiry entirely failed to discover the projecting mast.

MR. H. S. FOSTER

Cannot a buoy be placed at the spot?

MR. BRYCE

I have already told the hon. Member three or four times that the Board of Trade have no more power than he has in the matter.

MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Have the Board of Trade no control over the Trinity Board?

MR. BRYCE

No, Sir; none whatever.

MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES

Don't they spend the Trinity Boards money?

MR. BRYCE

No.