§ SIR THOMAS DEWAR (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that floating mines in the Gulf of Pe-chi-li constitute a danger to shipping in Chinese waters, and cause much consternation amongst shipping firms at Tientsin; and will he communicate with the Commander-in-Chief of the British squadron on the China Station on the subject, or take such other action as he may deem necessary to secure the destruction of these mines.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN, Suffolk, Wood-bridge)The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative. The Commander-in-Chief has already been communicated with and has reported several cases in which mines have been sighted by His Majesty's ships. As many as possible of these mines have been and will be destroyed.