§ MR. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the extreme annoyance caused to the inhabitants of Fife by the fog syren recently erected on Inichkeith; and whether lie will take immediate steps to have it cither removed or so 1041 modified as not to interfere, with the sleep of the inhabitants?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEI am informed by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses that the Inchkeith fog syren was established by them at the urgent request of the shipping trade, and has already proved of great service. I have no power to order the removal of the syren, but the Commissioners will endeavour to mitigate the annoyance complained of by directing the horn away from the shore whenever that can be done with safety to navigation.
§ MR. DALZIELIn view of the fact that for 20 miles inland the inhabitants are unable to sleep, will the right honourable Gentleman take steps to abate the annoyance with the least possible delay?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEI cannot take upon myself the responsibility of recommending that the syren be made less noisy than is necessary for navigation purposes.