§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S. E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the gunboats Bustard, Trent, and Landrail have been firing into deep water off the Nore Light; whether it would be possible to fire N.E. from the Black Tail Buoy on to the edge of the Maplins, which would find employment for men holding passes for the recovery of shot and shell, and save Government ammunition?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThese vessels fire some distance to the southward and eastward of the Nore Light, according to the direction in which the range is clear for the time being, in order to avoid accidents to boats or shipping. The Black Tail Buoy is too distant; and the value of the extra coal burnt would exceed that of the recovered projectiles.