MR. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Commissioners of Irish Lights have refused to sanction the use of a fog bell at the new harbour of Bray; whether he is aware that the Commissioners were willing to arrange that it should have a sound perfectly different to that of any fog bell on the coast; and, whether he can state the reasons for refusal?
§ MR. RITCHIEI am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that the close proximity of the bell at Kingstown on one side, and of another bell at Wick-low on the other side, precluded the Commissioners from entertaining the application of the Bray Harbour Board for a similar fog signal. The Commissioners, however, inform me that they are quite prepared to consider any alternative proposal.