§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Irish Lights Board consists of twenty-two self-elected and eight ex-officio members; that the salaries of the officials amount to £5,000 per annum; that the "Princess Alexandra" yacht is used for annual inspection at a yearly cost of £10,000 and that the annual outlay of the Board is about £84,000; and whether the Government intend to bring in a Bill to reform this Board or to dissolve it and appoint a responsible Government department with a competent staff.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe number of members of the Irish Lights Board, as fixed by Act of Parliament, is 22, of which number 5 are ex-officio members, and 17 are co-opted by the Board. The salaries of the officials I amount, as stated, to about £5,000 per annum. The annual cost of the "Princess Alexandra" yacht is a little over 492 £0,000. The annual outlay of the Board is, as stated, about £84,000. His Majesty's Government do not, as at present advised, contemplate the introduction of a Bill dealing with the constitution of the Lighthouse Authority.
§ MR. FIELDWill the Government support a Bill brought in by a private Member for the purpose of reforming this Board?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir, I can give no such undertaking.