Viscountess ASTORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that fishermen operating to the eastward of Plymouth would be much helped if a light were placed on the Shagstone so as to enable them to use the Channel to the eastward of the Plymouth breakwater; and whether, as Trinity House are not legally able to pay for the whole cost of erecting and maintaining such a light, he could arrange for the cost to be met jointly between his Department and Trinity House?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERUnder the Merchant Shipping Acts the Trinity House, as the General Lighthouse Authority for England and Wales, are able, with the sanction of the Board of Trade, to defray the cost involved in the provision of lighthouses from the General Lighthouse Fund, this being the only fund available to them for the purpose. I have been in communication with the Trinity House, who inform me that the suggestion for placing a light on the Shagstone was before the Elder Brethren some time ago, and they decided that, as a light in that position was not required for general navigation, it would not be 2341W a justifiable charge on the General Lighthouse Fund. The Board of Trade have no funds at their disposal for the purpose.