§ MR. G. W. WOLFF (Belfast, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the beacon erected by Mr. Wright, in 1854, on the North Briggs Reef at the entrance of Belfast Lough, was washed away by the gale of 22nd December, 1894; and that, although this beacon is of the greatest importance to vessels entering Belfast Lough, yet as it is outside the boundaries within which the Belfast Harbour Commissioners have, by Act of Parliament, power to expend any money, they cannot replace it: And, whether, under these circumstances, the Board of Trade, or the Board of Irish Lights Commissioners, will do so?
§ MR. RITCHIEThe attention of the Board of Trade has been called to this matter by the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The Commissioners of Irish Lights decline to re-erect this beacon on the ground that it is a local seamark, and the Board of Trade have no statutory power to issue any directions in the matter, nor have they any power to replace the beacon or funds at their disposal for the purpose. The Board will, however, communicate with the Irish Lights Commissioners on the subject.