§ MR. HART-DAVIES (Hackney N)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that there are constant reports of danger to yachts and shipping in the Thames channel, owing to artillery practice; and whether, to obviate these dangers and to ensure the efficient training of the coast defence artillery, some regulations can be made to keep the danger zone under the guns of the Thames and Medway defence clear of barges and small craft, say for one hour daily, about the time of high-water, for four months of the year, from May to August.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Yes, Sir, my attention has been drawn to two or three complaints on this head. As it is the navigable channels of the Thames that the guns at Sheerness are 375 intended to protect, it is obvious that they must be fired over. But every precaution against danger to those using the waterway is observed. I may add that the provision of by-laws to facilitate artillery practice being carried on without danger to traffic is now under consideration.