§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade
† See page 922.1123 whether he can say on what date the change in the character of the Margaretta Buoys, Galway Bay, was made; and whether, seeing that the notice to mariners of the 1st November, 1897, stated that when the changes were carried out a further notice would be issued stating the fact, he will explain why that course was not taken with respect to the other buoys mentioned in the notice of November, 1897, and why, when the changes were made, the west buoy was marked by a triangle instead of a diamond and the east buoy by a diamond instead of a triangle.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have communicated with the Commissioners of Irish Lights who state that the change in character of the Margaretta buoys was carried out on the 14th and 17th June, 1898. The Commissioners add that through an oversight a Notice to Mariners was not issued announcing the changes of these and other buoys alluded to in the notice of November, 1897. The sanction of the Trinity House for top marks of the Margaretta buoys was in accordance with the recommendations of the Buoyage Conference of 1st May, 1883, and the top marks are still carried by these buoys, viz., west buoy a diamond, and the east buoy a triangle.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Will the right hon. Gentleman say what notice was taken of this serious omission to notify the change in these buoys in the usual manner?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have no power over the Irish Lights Board?