§ SIR LEONARD LYELL (Orkney and Shetland)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can explain the delay that has occurred in giving a reply to the petition of the lighthouse keepers of the United Kingdom for an increase of pay; and, whether, having regard to the fact that seven months have now elapsed since these petitions were presented, he will urge the authorities to give their decision at an early date, and so allay the dissatisfaction which now prevails in the lighthouse service of the country.
§ MR. RITCHIEAS stated in my reply to the honourable and gallant Member for the Eastern Division of the County of Cork on the 1st May, I have lately received applications from the three lighthouse authorities for the sanction of the Board of Trade to increase of pay to the lighthouse keepers in their employ. No time has been lost in considering these applications, and I hope to be able to announce the decision of the Board of Trade at an early date.