§ Mr. GRIFFITHSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to dispense with the Carnarvon Bay Lightship in May next; if so, the reason: whether he is aware that this lightship has been in its present position for the past 40 years; and whether, in view of its great usefulness to mariners, the decision to remove it will be reconsidered?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am in formed by the Corporation of Trinity House that the Carnarvon Bay Light Vessel was established in the year 1869 mainly for the benefit of sailing vessels for which it acted as a guide to prevent such vessels becoming embayed in Carnarvon Bay. The Elder Brethren state that this consideration no longer applies and that at the present time this light vessel is of little or no use to general navigation. The vessel lies somewhat to2070W the northward of half-way between the South Stack and Bardsey Island Lighthouses, which are only 34 miles apart and each of which possesses a powerful light and a fog-signal, the respective geographical ranges of the two lights being such that taken together they more than cover the distance of 34 miles which separates them. In these circumstances the Elder Brethren consider that it is no longer justifiable for the cost of maintaining this light vessel, amounting to about £3,000 per annum, to be a charge on the General Lighthouse Fund, and they have therefore decided to discontinue it as from about the 18th May, 1926. I am not aware of any sufficient reason for asking the Elder Brethren to reconsider their decision.