§ Colonel BURTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the notice recently issued by the corporation of Colchester to the effect that from 30th June next no light will be exhibited on the Knoll Buoy, off Brightlingsea; and whether, in view of the danger surrounding the channel which it indicates, he will cause an inquiry to be held before this light is withdrawn?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHYes, Sir, I am aware of the notice in question. This630W lighted buoy was established, in substitution for an unlighted buoy, by the corporation of Colchester under their Act of 1892, and has been maintained by the Trinity House on the understanding that the corporation should pay the additional cost. The Trinity House state that, as the lighted buoy is required only in the interests of local traffic, the cost of maintaining it should be borne by the local interests. It has accordingly been suggested to the corporation that if they are no longer prepared to defray the cost from their own revenues, an application should be made, under the Merchant Shipping Acts, for an Order in Council enabling a local light due to be levied on the interests deriving benefit.