HC Deb 27 June 1898 vol 60 c216
Mr. J. MORLEY (Montrose Burghs)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will assent to the appointment of a committee to inquire into certain grievances from which the lighthouse keepers of Great Britain and Ireland alleged in a recent petition to this House that they are suffering?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) Croydon

The three lighthouse authorities submitted in 1897, after consultation with each other, proposals for the improvement of the position of lighthouse keepers of Great Britain and Ireland. Those proposals the Board of Trade sanctioned. Since then they have not been made aware of any complaints from the lighthouse keepers, showing dissatisfaction with the arrangements until the recent petition was presented. If the lighthouse keepers will forward their complaints, through the lighthouse authorities in whose employment they are, I will see that they receive careful consideration, but I do not think that the case is one for the appointment of a Committee of this House.