§ MR. HALPIN (Clare, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will make inquiries as to what steps, if any have been taken in the lighting and safe guarding of Merchant's Quay, Kilrush county Clare, where several lives have been lost; if the inspectors who visited the place in or about December, 1905, and who have sent copies of the docks and quays regulations under the Factory Acts to Mr. Vandelure, pointing out his responsibility under them, have furnished him with their Report; and whether he will make inquiries why this danger to tin lives of the inhabitants of Kilrush and to 1084 the sailors and others who have business to transact there is not abated and the quay properly protected.
§ * MR. GLADSTONEI beg to answer this Question on behalf of my right hon. friend. The quay in question is a small one used by only one firm. The statement in the Question that several lives have been lost there is new to me. An inquiry was made and a report received from the factory inspector in November last. This did not disclose any very serious irregularities, but the occupier was served with the dock regulations, and his attention drawn to his responsibilities under them, and to the necessity of lighting and I fencing when vessels are loading or unloading. I have called for a further report upon the place.
§ MR. HALPINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this property I belongs to the Grand Jury of county Clare?
§ * MR. GLADSTONEI was not aware of it.