§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the ferry boat at Culmore, Londonderry, carries a light at night, and, if so, since when; whether he will direct the Board's surveyor at Londonderry to make a report regarding the sort of light carried and the appliances by which the lights, if any used, are attached to the boats; how long are such appliances in use and lights carried; and whether he will take such steps as are necessary, having regard to the traffic on the River Foyle, to ensure public safety and to prevent disaster?
Mr. BUXTONSince my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary addressed his communication on this subject to the hon. Member, the Board of Trade have made further inquiries respecting this matter. They are now informed that although the ferryman has instructions from the Foyle and Bann Fishery Company to whom the ferry rights are leased to carry a light at night, he does not appear to do so, and that the manager of the company will take steps in future to ensure that the instructions are carried out.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked whether the right of ferrying across the Foyle was granted by charter to the honourable the Irish 1546 Society under certain conditions; and, if so, whether these conditions are being fulfilled, and for how long have the honourable the Irish Society leased the ferry to the Foyle and Bann Fishery Company?
Mr. BUXTONI am informed by the honourable the Irish Society that a charter conferring these ferry rights was granted to them by James I. in the year 1613, and that it contained no conditions in regard to ferrying across the Foyle. I am further informed that the society gave a lease of the ferry to the Foyle and Bann. Fishery Company in 1873.