MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he has 1089 received the account of the total wreck of the "Isle of Erin," and the loss of many valuable lives, given by the lighthouse keeper, North Ronaldshay, Orkney, suggesting that if there had been telegraphic communication the ship and crew might have been saved; and if he will take the earliest possible opportunity of extending the telegraphic system to North Ronaldshay, taking into account the irregularity of the mail delivery and the difficulties of obtaining medical aid of any sort, and the number of people on the island.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarI have seen an account of the wreck and the suggestion to which the hon. Member refers. I informed my hon. friend in March, 1906, that I could not provide the telegraph extension to North Ronaldshay because the cost would he prohibitive, as compared with the revenue. I am considering whether I could undertake it on special terms of guarantee.