§ MR. GRAVESsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade, Whether it is true that the Board of Trade has decided on reducing the "light dues" now levied on shipping; and, if so, if he will state the extent and nature of the proposed reduction?
§ MR. SHAW-LEFEVREIn reply, Sir, to the hon. Member for Liverpool, I have to state that, in consequence of the flourishing state of the Mercantile Marine Fund, due mainly to the increase of shipping entering our ports, it is found possible to make considerable reductions of the light dues. Instead, however, of making a reduction pro ratâ over all the dues, it is thought better to take this opportunity of getting rid of certain anomalies and inequalities which have been much complained of, and in 461 respect of which, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade promised last year that inquiry should be made with a view to their removal. It is proposed, then, to make the following reductions:—1. Steamers making direct voyages from the East Coast to the North of Europe will be relieved from payment in respect of a certain number of lights; by this a relief will be given to the extent of about £11,300 per annum. 2. Vessels trading between ports in the United Kingdom and ports in Europe—except the Mediterranean—will in future be called upon to pay dues once only, out and home. The annual reduction in this case will probably be £21,229. 3. There will be a reduction of dues charged in respect of the "Smalls" and "Skerries" Lights from 1d. to ¾d., subject to the usual abatement. This will give relief to the extent of £ 13,300. 4. Vessels calling for orders at our ports and proceeding thence to foreign ports will in future be exempt from tolls after leaving the port of call. This will cause a reduction of £8,000. In all, the reductions will amount to about £53,800. They will, however, not come into operation till the 1st of October.
§ MR. GRAVESsaid, he should like to know whether these reductions would be effected without any curtailment of the expenditure necessary for new works?
§ MR. SHAW-LEFEVREThese reductions will not at all affect the expenditure for new works. It may be convenient that I should state that the expenditure on new works during the present year will be £79,798. For the year 1869 it was £66,900, and for 1868 £47,000. It will be seen, therefore, that the expenditure during the current year will, notwithstanding the reductions, be greater than during either of the past two years. The estimated expenditure during the year 1871 on works now in progress will be £.54,000.