Sir G. HAMILTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, of the numerous wrecks between the Outer Dowsing light vessal and Lowestoft, 21 have caused considerable loss to the Lowestoft fishermen 1294W owing to their nets fouling the masts of these wrecks; and whether he will arrange for these masts to be destroyed before the October herring fishing season opens?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHUnder the Merchant Shipping Acts, a wreck off the coasts of the United Kingdom can be removed by a general lighthouse authority only if, in the opinion of the authority, it is or is likely to become an obstruction or danger to navigation or to lifeboats engaged in the Lifeboat Service, and there is no power to remove a wreck which may be detrimental to fishing operations but which is not at the same time a danger to navigation. I am informed by the Corporation of Trinity House, who are the general lighthouse authority for England and Wales, that they have no knowledge of any wreck in the locality named which is dangerous to navigation, and that any remains of a wreck not dangerous to navigation but an obstruction to fishing could be dealt with by them only as a repayment service.