§ MR. M. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the siren or fog horn at present on Mew Island at the entrance to Belfast Lough is still in a very unsatisfactory state, and that master mariners coming to Belfast complain that frequently it cannot be heard before their ships are perilously near the island; and whether he will suggest to the Irish Lights Commissioners that considering the large and increasing maritime traffic to and from the Port of Belfast steps should be taken without delay to remedy the present defects in this danger warning?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEThe unsatisfactory condition of the fog-signal apparatus on Mew Island has been under the consideration of the Irish Lights Commissioners for some time past, and the Board of Trade in September last gave their statutory sanction to the establishment of new gas engines and other fog-signal machinery which, it is anticipated, will remedy the defects complained of.