§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a number of the 966 masters of the Canadian Royal Mail Steamers, owned by Messrs. Allan Brothers, have objected to the position in which the Commissioners of Irish Lights propose to erect the gas and bell buoy at the entrance to Lough Foyle, on the ground that the buoy in that position will be of no service whatever to ships frequenting Lough Foyle; that the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners have also objected to the position assigned to the buoy; and that; notwithstanding this expert opinion, the Commissioners of Irish Lights refuse to deviate from the position originally taken up by them; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I am aware of the views expressed by Messrs. Allan Brothers in regard to the: position of the proposed buoy at the entrance to Lough Foyle, but I have not received any representation on the subject from the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners. The Commissioners of Irish Lights, after careful consideration and experiments, are of opinion that a first class whistling buoy will not ride safely except in the position they have selected. I am not in a position to interfere with the discretion of the Commissioners in the matter.