MR. PATRICK O'BRIENOn behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether a petition was presented to the Commissioners of Irish Lights by a number of lighthouse keepers on 27th November, 1899, requesting the consideration of certain inequalities of pay and arrangements; whether he is aware that no reply has been sent to the petitioners; and whether he can state if the matter is under consideration, and when a reply is likely to be forwarded.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonI am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that they received the petition referred to in the question at the end of November, and that they are giving careful consideration to the various points raised therein. They hope to be able to send a reply very shortly.