§ MR. MOONEY (Dublin co., S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the action of the Commissioners of Irish Lights with regard to the dismissal of Captain Thomas M'Combie on the 11th December, 1899, on the alleged ground of ill-health; is he aware that Captain M'Combie had been for twenty-seven years in the service of the Commissioners, as was stated by them in a certificate of 25th September, 1900; can he state why such certificate was withdrawn; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be held in the matter.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe officer referred to was the servant of the Irish Lights Commissioners, and not of the Board of Trade. That Department is not in a position to interfere. Their sole duty was to authorise the payment by the Commissioners to M'Combie of a pension on his retirement on the ground of ill-health, and this has been done.