§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what report the officer in charge of the warships sent to search for floating mines off the Cornish coast gave as to the position, origin, and course of those mines; and what steps he has taken, and proposes to take, to protect l3ritish shipping and British ports and coasts from this menace?
Mr. CooperI assume the hon. Member refers to reports of floating mines sighted off Land's End on 20th and 21st May. It is believed that there were two British practice mines laid off Portland in February last and not recovered. Further search for them has proved unsuccessful but as these mines are not dangerous to shipping the last part of the question does not arise.