Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Postmaster-General if he has now received a Report of the Board of Trade inquiry into the total loss of the "Isle of Erin" with all hands off North Ronaldshay on 19th October, 1908; if his attention has been directed to the finding of the court that a large part of the shipping between established between North Ronaldshay and Sanday, not only on the ground of the advantage to the 460 inhabitants of the island, but with reference to the fact that a large part of the shipping between the North Sea and the Atlantic passes the lighthouse at North Ronaldshay, which would form a desirable signal station, so that in the event of any ship being in distress effectual assistance could be promptly rendered from neighbouring ports in Orkney; and if the experiments in wireless telegraphy are now sufficiently advanced to enable a telegraphic station to be established at North Ronaldshay without further delay?
§ Mr. BUXTONI am aware of the finding of the Board of Trade. The data 717W regarding a wireless installation between North Ronaldshay and Sanday are still incomplete, especially as regards the cost and the annual charges for working and maintenance, which, I fear, may prove to be prohibitive.