MR. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the allegation that the electric light at the Lizard lighthouses is not efficacious in thick weather, he will cause inquiry to be made of the coast guards in the neighbourhood of the Lizard lights whether, either from their stations or from any points on their cliff walks, they noticed, in the early morning of 22 May last, when the "Paris" stranded on the Manacles, the Lizard lights were visible or invisible, and, if visible, how far from shore they estimate they could be seen in the direction of the course of a vessel steaming from Cherbourg to clear the Lizard Point.
§ MR. RITCHIEI am informed that for navigation reasons the Lizard lights have been so constructed as to be practically obscured from the adjoining coast, but in any case I do not think that the inquiries suggested by the honourable Member could lead to any useful result.
MR. FIELDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that oil or gas light penetrates a fog further than the electric light?
§ MR. RITCHIEI believe it to be true that it does so in certain circumstances.