HC Deb 19 May 1887 vol 315 cc519-20
MR. ATKINSON (Boston)

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If his attention has been called to the fact that the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., during which goods may be landed out of vessels arriving from beyond the seas in four months of the year without payment of charges for overtime for the officials attending, are not suitable for the present state of navigation, which has changed so greatly from sailing vessels to steamers, and to ask if the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury will exercise their option of appointing "other hours," by making the time 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.?

THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)

My attention has been called to this subject by Memorial from certain Chambers of Shipping. I will consider the question in concert with the Customs authorities, and see whether any extension of the hours can be obtained without any serious increase of expense to the Customs Department.