§ MR. A. M. BROOKFIELD (Sussex, Rye)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the S.S. Lepantois now wrecked, sunk in 15 fathoms of water, about seven or eight miles to the southeast of Rye and Dungeness, and has caused very considerable destruction to the nets of the fishermen on that coast; and whether, in view of the expressed inability of the Trinity House either to mark the scene of the wreck with a buoy or remove the vessel altogether, the Board of Trade will take some action in the matter?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEI am informed by the Trinity House that they have already removed all such portions of the wreck of the S.S. Lepantoas formed an obstruction to navigation. The Trinity House have no power to deal with wrecks on the ground that they cause destruction to fishing nets, and they are of opinion that the placing of a buoy would constitute an obstruction to navigation. The Board of Trade have no power to take any action either as regards the marking or removal of wrecks.
§ MR. J. C. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)May I ask if the Board of Trade, supposing it has no steamers available for removing this derelict, will advise the Admiralty, so as to get it removed?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! There is nothing about derelicts in the answer.