§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHasked the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the recent stranding of the s.s. "Langton Grange" on North Bishop's Rock, St. David's, whether he is aware that the disaster might have been averted if the rock had been indicated by a red line on the Admiralty Chart; and whether the charts will be revised in order that such points may be indicated?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Churchill)I have ordered a formal investigation into this casualty, and until I have received the Report of the Court of Inquiry I cannot say what the stranding was due to, or whether it might have been averted had the rock on which the vessel stranded been marked on the Admiralty Chart by a red line. I understand that the Admiralty are of opinion that to increase the marks on their charts in dangerous places in the manner suggested would render the charts illegible in places where legibility is most required, and would be more likely to confuse mariners than to help them.
§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHIn view of the appalling amount of damage done by some rocks on that part of the Irish coast, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the Irish Lights Board should be urged to look into this matter more earnestly, and to take some practical action?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThey really are considering it, and I hope they will take some practical action early.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHThey will not listen to anybody who knows anything about it.