§ MR. HELDER (Whitehaven)To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign 288 Affairs if he can state when the four new lighthouses erected by the Turkish Government in the southern portion of the Red Sea, and completed and tested in 1902, are likely to be lighted for the benefit of shipping.
§ (Answered by Lord Cranborne.) His Majesty's Government learn that the delay in putting the four new lighthouses referred to into operation, arises from a dispute between the Turkish Ministry of Marine and the Administration des Phares over certain items in the account presented by the latter for the construction of the lighthouses. The question of funds for working expenses, and for the salaries of the staff is also not yet settled. His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople has represented to the Turkish Government the serious importance of putting the lights into operation at as early a date as possible; and the question will not be lost sight of.