§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made since last Session towards obtaining the four lights necessary to render safe the navigation of the southern portion of the Red Sea, and that proposed to be placed upon the eastern end of the Island of Socotra?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEHer Majesty's Government are in communication with the maritime Powers interested in the navigation of the Red Sea, with the object of obtaining their views on the proposal of the Egyptian Government to establish lights in the Red Sea, but I understand that all the replies have not yet been received. The question of placing a light on the Island of Socotra has not been lost sight of, but Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that it would not be advisable to approach other Governments on this subject until some settlement has been arrived at with respect to the Red Sea lights.
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONWill the Government consider the urgency of seeing that this great waterway of 800 miles of the Red Sea, infested as it is with dangerous rocks and shoals, is properly lighted?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEI have no doubt these lights are urgently required, and Her Majesty's Government are doing everything they can to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.