§ *MR. LONSDALE) (Armagh, MidI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the inaccuracy of the description of many of the Irish lights in the Admiralty lists, due to the fact that no allowance has been made for alteration in the variation in recent years; and whether, in view of the importance of these lights to navigators, he will take steps to have the Admiralty lists revised and corrected.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe small differences in the bearings of the sectors of the lights due to the constant alteration in the variation of the compass needle are corrected in the Light Lists from time to time, when the alteration is sufficiently great. It is, however, not absolutely necessary to do this very frequently, for the lines showing the radii, between which the sectors are visible, are always correct on the Admiralty Charts, as they are laid down on them from the 621 True Meridian; and it is the Chart, and not the Light List, that should be used for navigational purposes.
§ *MR. LONSDALEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that several accidents have occurred in consequence of the variation of these lights?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo, Sir, I think if the Admiralty Chart is relied upon for navigational purposes, no accidents will occur.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)The hon. Gentleman suggests that the Admiralty Chart should be relied on, but is he not aware that that Chart is very often an old one, whereas the Light List is issued year by year, and is looked upon as the guide for lights by all seamen?
§ [No answer was returned.]