§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether: he can state the cost of erection and of maintenance up to date of the acetylene buoy at Ardglass Harbour, county Down?
Mr. TENNANTThe estimated cost of establishing the buoy is £1,000. I am informed by the Irish Lights Commissioners that the cost to date of maintaining a buoy on the station cannot be ascertained as the accounts are not yet settled.
§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHasked whether he is aware that if a lightship were placed between Ardglass and Dun-drum Bay, where the present gas buoy is stationed, the result would be to light up the entire channel on the county Down coast; and whether the suitability of this position for a lightship will be inquired into with especial regard to its importance to the local fishermen?
Mr. TENNANTThe question of lighting this part of the coast has recently formed the subject of a conference between the Trinity House and the Irish Lights Commissioners, with the result that it has been decided to withdraw the Strangford Lough buoy and to place a lighted whistling buoy off Ballyquinton Point. I understand that the question of establishing a lightship was discussed among other schemes at the conference.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHAm I to understand this matter is fixed, and that the Board of Trade cannot contribute to a buoy at Dundrum?
Mr. TENNANTAs I have stated, they had a conference upon the question where the buoy should be placed and the nature of the light, with the result as I have stated.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHWill he ask the Irish Lights Commissioners to report on the suggestion made in this question?
Mr. TENNANTI am not quite sure whether the President of the Board of Trade can promise that or not.