§ MR. LAFONE (Southwark, Bermondsey)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the Government is aware that in about latitude 14° 24' N., longitude 42° 42' E., right in the middle of the fair way in the Red Sea, on the track over which some 300 vessels pass per mouth, there lies a hidden rock on which two steamers have been wrecked within the last seven months; and, if they are taking stops, or know of steps being taken, to blow up this rock, or to define its position, cither by buoys or otherwise, in order to prevent further casualties?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)The Admiralty have already sent two surveying vessels to find the alleged danger; and although they had made diligent search in the places indicated by the masters of two vessels which are stated to have struck on it they can find only deep water and no indication of a rock. The Admiralty and the Board of Trade are now considering what further steps can be taken to find the rock, or to satisfy the Mercantile Marine that there is no rock at the spot indicated.