§ MAJOR JAMESON (Clare W.)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give instructions that the following clause shall be inserted in the instructions to lightship keepers in the service of the Irish Lights Board:—"In the event of the vessel being driven from her station the officer in charge is to carefully consider whether she has drifted for such a distance or in such a direction as to make it dangerous to shipping to continue to show her lights, and if the distance of direction be not such as to endanger their safety the lights and balls or other masthead marks which help to distinguish the light vessel by day are to be continued in the usual manner;" whether he will state how many of the head and assistant keepers of Irish light-ships have certificates in navigation such as would fit them to exercise a useful relating discretion in deciding whether a lightship when off her charted position would be likely to be a danger to shipping; and 887 whether he will give instructions to ensure that such a regulation is carried out in the interests of shipping.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The instructions issued by the Commissioners of Irish Lights to their lightship keepers in the contingency contemplated by the Question are the same as those issued by the other general lighthouse authorities. I will direct the attention of the Commissioners of Irish Lights to the clause proposed by the lion, and gallant Member; its adoption is a matter for the Commissioners and not for the Board of Trade. I am informed by the Commissioners that the masters and mates of all their lightships possess Board of Trade certificates.