§ Mr. JOWITTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that from the Island of Stroma, situated in the middle of the Pentland Firth, ships in difficulties and the dangerous tides and currents between the Orkneys 1958W and the mainland can be observed; that the only communication between the island and the mainland is by boat, which may be cut off from seven to 10 days at a stretch; that at the end of last year the Swedish steamer "Citos" passed through the Pentland Firth flying signals of distress, and that if the inhabitants of Stroma had been in communication with the mainland the ship and six lives might have been saved; and that the cable laid for Admiralty purposes between Stroma and the mainland was twice broken by the force of the tidal current; and whether, in these circumstances and for the safety of British shipping passing through the Pentland Firth, he will arrange for wireless communication to be established between the Island of Stroma and the mainland?
Mr. ALEXANDERI am making inquiries with regard to the matters referred to in the hon. Member's question, and will communicate the result to him as soon as I am in a position to do so.