§ 9 and 10. Mr. KELLYasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, or when, it is the intention of the British Government to give effect to Clause 2 (b) of the annexe to the Treaty with regard to the future administration of the lighthouse service in the Free State; and if he will state the reason for the prolonged delay in transferring it to the latter and the probable date of carrying this out;
(2) whether the Board of Trade and Trinity House are still, notwithstanding the Treaty, exercising statutory rights over the Free State lighthouses, and defraying the full cost of their maintenance from the general lighthouse fund?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERCertain questions as to the future administration of these lighthouses are still under consideration by His Majesty's Governments in Great Britain and the Irish Free State. In the meantime, the present system is, 1430 by consent of both Governments, continued in being.
§ Mr. KELLYWho is responsible for dealing with the finances and with the conditions of the people engaged in the lighthouses?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe lighthouse authorities.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think I ought to have notice of that question, but my recollection is that Trinity House does not deal with those, but that they are dealt with by the Irish Lights. There are three bodies, Trinity House, the Northern Lights and the Irish Lights, and I think I am right in saying that these lighthouses are dealt with by the Irish Lights authority.
§ Mr. KELLYIn view of the fact that matters are held up at this moment, will the right hon. Gentleman look into the question of the wages and conditions of the Irish lighthouse keepers?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir; I have no authority to do so.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is under the Irish Government.