Figured Bass - vertical position and symbol over rest

[Arno Rog]

L.S.

I am trying to engrave a Bach cantata using lilypond (latest devel. version
on WinXP) So far no problems I can't handle (except for the sheer magnitude
of this 'job')

Until now, the figured bass.

Problem is that using the Staff context the figures/symbols are way to low 
beneath the notes (it looks like they belong to the notes on the staff below)

Using \new FiguredBass I am unable to print figures/symbols/extenders
below a rest. This is quite customary in figured bass and is becoming
somewhat of a show-stopper.

Digging through the mailing-list archive it looks like this has been
mentioned before, but I'm unable to find a solution/workaround?

Is there a solution?

Thanks in advance,

Arno Rog