§ MR. COGAN (Wicklow, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state how many vessels have been stranded on the Arklow Bank during the past six months; is he aware that the floating lights and marks, placed to guard this bank, have been out of their chartered positions; can he say on what date the Arklow buoys were last replaced and their positions ascertained, and by whom; and how many times a year the buoyage under the care of Trinity House is thus treated; and whether he will give directions to the Commissioners of Irish Lights to have the markings of the ArklowBank checked and corrected without further delay.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURTwo vessels have been stranded on the Arklow Bank during the past six months. I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that in heavy gales the Arklow Bank Light Vessels alter their position, but are replaced at the earliest opportunity. The buoys there were replaced 12 months ago, and will be again examined very shortly. I am informed that the Trinity House buoys are examined on every opportunity when any of their vessels are passing the locality. The Board of Trade have no jurisdiction to give directions to the Commissioners.