§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether the attention of the Commissioners of Irish Lights has been called to the fact that the lighthouse on Altacarry Head, Rathlin Island, being, on the east 1255 side of the island, is entirely invisible from the West, and only comes into view in a north-westerly direction to vessels coming from the westward; and whether, those interested in the coast trade of the North-West of Ireland have requested the Commissioners to erect a new lighthouse with fog syren or gun on the west end of the island, arranged so as to serve the south side of the island; and if the Commissioners purpose erecting such a light.
(Answered by Mr. Bonar Law.) Representations were made to the Commissioners of Irish Lights by the Advisory Committee of Shipowners, etc., on New Lighthouse Works, urging the erection of a lighthouse and fog signal at the western end of Rathlin Island. The Commissioners estimated the probable cost at between £20,000 and £25,000, and applied for the necessary financial sanction of the Board of Trade, who withheld it in deference to the wish of the Advisory Committee, who expressed the view that, although they had in the first instance asked for this work, the necessity for it was not great enough to warrant so large an expenditure.