§ COLONEL DENNYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether serious complaints have been received from shipowners regarding the want of a fog signal on the Maidens, off the entrance to Belfast Lough; whether numerous wrecks have taken place on these rocks; and whether it is the intention of the Board to press for a signal being provided?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe Board of Trade have received a complaint from Mr. Lawther, of Belfast, regarding the want of a fog signal on the Maidens. During the last 10 years five vessels have been wrecked in the neighbourhood of these rocks, but no loss of life has occurred. The Board of Trade will give careful consideration to any 1240 application which may be made to them on the subject by the Irish Lights Commissioners, who are the authority responsible for the safeguarding of this coast, but the Board have no power to initiate lights or fog signals.