CLASS I. (Hansard, 11 August 1896)

§ MR. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)
called attention to the condition of Holyhead Harbour. He said that its proper development affected not merely local interests but the whole of the shipping trade of the western coast. The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce had more than once petitioned the Board of Trade for the removal of the Platters' Rocks, which, situated as they were at the entrance of the inner harbour, had long been felt to be a serious bar to the proper use of the harbour. When the wind blew from the south-west it was 503 practically impossible for a largo sailing vessel to make her way into the inner harbour, the channel between the rocks and the breakwater being too narrow. Consequently, when the wind was in that quarter, there were a large number of vessels anchored in the outer harbour and the danger that arose from that was three-fold. In the first place the holding ground in this outer harbour was very bad; secondly, vessels in the outer harbour were exposed to a much greater force of wind, and thirdly, the vessels were anchored right in the way of the mail boats leaving for Ireland. Consequently a number of casualties had occurred. In one year there were no less than 15 or 16 vessels aground at the same time and many lives had been lost. No doubt it would cost a considerable sum to remove the Platters' Rocks, but the appliances for blasting were very much cheaper than they used to be, and he believed the débris removed could be made use of as a means of backing the breakwater. He appealed to the Board of Trade whether the time had not come when in the interest of the shipping trade of the western coast, these rocks ought to be blown up. He believed the London and North Western Railway Company once offered to clear the rocks away at their own expense if certain concessions were made to them by the Board of Trade. Those concessions had not been made, and the consequence was that the obstruction still remained. Between 2,000 and 3,000 vessels entered Holyhead harbour annually, and therefore it was of considerable importance that the harbour should be a safe one. It was an undoubted fact that the existence of the Platters Rocks, which were situated at the entrance to the inner harbour, made the navigation of the harbour very dangerous. In fact, so dangerous was it that when the wind was in certain quarters shipmasters preferred to run out into the open rather than try and enter the harbour. He hoped that the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Board of Trade would give this matter his most serious consideration, with a view of ascertaining what could be done in order to get rid of these rocks, and to render the navigation of this important harbour safe. He was glad to see the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exche- 504 quer in his place, because he was aware that the light hon. Gentleman had paid a visit to the harbour about the time that he held the office of President of the Board of Trade, and had made a very careful inspection of the harbour, and he understood that the right hon. Gentleman's impression at that time was that the Platters Rocks ought to be removed. The question was one of great importance, not only locally, but generally, and he trusted that it would receive the very careful consideration of the light hon. Gentleman who now held the office of President of the Board of Trade.

§ MR. ELLIS GRIFFITH (Anglesey)
said that the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1892 had stated that a plan had been suggested by which the rocks could be partially removed at a small cost, so as to allow the smaller class of vessels to enter the inner harbour without danger, but it was said that that plan had received no local support. But the matter was one not of local interest only, but was of importance to the general Mercantile Marine. Between one-and-a-half and two millions of public money had been spent upon improving Holyhead harbour, and it was strange that, notwithstanding that expenditure, it was impossible for vessels on certain occasions to land cargo in the harbour. At a small additional cost the harbour might be made perfectly safe at all times. With regard to the mercantile necessities of the case, he might point out that there was absolutely no harbour of refuge between Holyhead and Milford Haven. He joined the hon. Member who had last spoken in asking the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Board of Trade to give his careful consideration to this very important matter. He had been informed that the London and North Western Railway Company had offered to contribute towards the expenses that might be incurred in blowing up these Platters Rocks. He trusted that the Government would take steps to remove this obstacle to navigation. ["Hear, hear!"]

§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) Croydon
said that he must entirely indorse everything that had fallen from the hon. Members opposite with regard to the danger to navigation that the existence 505 of these rocks caused to the navigation of the Holyhead harbour. The proposal for the removal of these rocks had been made from various quaters. The Board of Trade had always recognised that this subject was of great importance, and already soundings had been taken with a view of ascertaining the amount of work that the removal of the rocks would require, and what that work would cost to perform. The estimate for the removal of the obstruction was £250,000, but it was a question whether some less expensive mode of operation might not be devised so as to allow vessels drawing 15 or 16 feet of water to pass safely into the inner; harbour. If he could obtain satisfactory information on the subject he should be glad to approach his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon the matter with the view of ascertaining whether money would be forthcoming for the purpose of carrying out the projected improvement in the harbour. ["Hear, hear!"] Further inquiry had been directed to be made as to the proposal of the London and North Western Railway Company. He hoped to visit Holyhead harbour himself as soon as his other engagements would permit, and then he should be able to see for himself how the matter stood. ["Hear, hear!"]