§ 22. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the wreck of a Swedish ship, s.s. "Ormen Friske," on a reef in the immediate vicinity of Heligoland, where the ship was sunk with all her crew; and whether he is prepared to meet the demand that a lighthouse should be built upon the island and that a lifeboat should be stationed there.
§ Mr. BevinI have no clear evidence that the "Ormen Friske" was, in fact, wrecked in the immediate vicinity of Heligoland. The remains of the ship and the bodies of some of the crew were found on the Islands of Amrum and Pell-worm, some 30 miles away. The use of Heligoland as a bombing target precludes the installation of a lighthouse and lifeboat at present. I am advised that these are not essential for the safety of navigation.
§ Professor SavoryHas the right hon. Gentleman received the petition of 31 shippers' associations, fishermen's unions and pilots' clubs asking that a lighthouse should be put upon the Island of Heligoland, as was always the case?
§ Mr. BevinYes, but it is being used for bombing purposes at the moment. The regular shipping routes are well marked with buoys.