§ Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that a derelict timber-laden ship is floating keel upwards near the mouth of the Firth of Forth; and whether he proposes to take any steps to destroy or remove this menace to naval and merchant shipping, and to fit out a 1714 derelict destroyer to operate regularly round our shores and in the North Atlantic-trade route?
Mr. BUXTONThe Board of Trade received information on the 11th March that a derelict had been seen near May Island, and at once communicated with the Com missioners of Northern Lighthouses, who have power to deal with derelicts near the coast where there is no conservancy authority having jurisdiction. The Com missioners have informed me that they have made an exhaustive search, but that no trace of a derelict has been discovered, nor any further report received on the subject. I do not think there is any necessity for adding to the existing machinery for dealing with such obstructions to navigation round the coast.
§ Mr. PETOIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the 13th inst. notice was given to mariners of two other derelicts in the Channel and five in the North Atlantic?