§ SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the reasons why the Irish Lights Commissioners refuse permission to British shipowners to establish and maintain at their own cost a reporting station on the Fast-net Rock, which is desired by Lloyds, the Chamber of Shipping, several large steamship owners' associations, and the Cork Harbour Commissioners, on the ground that the Fastnet being the point for which all ships make in following the southern route across the Atlantic, is the most suitable reporting station; and whether the difficulties which formerly arose owing to the breaking of the telegraph cable being now removed by wireless telegraphy, he will use his influence with the Irish Lights Commissioners to establish a reporting station on the Fastnet as early as practicable.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThe Board of Trade have been in communication with the Irish Lights Commissioners on this matter. The latter are at present considering the best arrangements to be made for housing the additional light-keepers on the Tuskar and Fastnet Lighthouses, which will be necessary for the establishment of a system of private signalling. The difficulties are very considerable, both on this point and as regards the method of signalling, but the consideration of the subject will be pressed forward.