§ MR. BUCHANAN (Edinburgh, N.)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the dues of transit of the Crinan Canal are nearly as heavy as the dues of transit of the much greater length of the Caledonian Canal; whether he will consider whether the dues on the Crinan Canal can be reduced; whether he is aware that the lock gates of the Crinan Canal are not opened to passing vessels by the employés of the canal, as is the case on the Caledonian Canal, and that it is the practice of the authorities of the Crinan Canal to insist upon each vessel taking an extra hand on board to open the lock gates, to whom the owner of the vessel is obliged to pay a fee of 10s.; whether this practice is legal; and, whether the authorities of the canal are bound, on payment of the transit dues by a passing vessel, to provide without further charge for the opening of the lock gates?
§ * MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONThe dues on the Crinan Canal are regulated by bye-laws approved by the Commissioners, and are according to Statute. The dues are proportionately higher than those on the Caledonian Canal, owing to the fact that the Crinan Canal passes through no natural lakes, and so requires an artificial water supply. No general reduction of dues can be given; but from time to time reductions are made when it is clearly proved to encourage traffic and to be of advantage to the Revenue. The lock gates are opened by the employés, and it is not the practice of the authorities to insist on extra hands being employed, as they are bound to provide for the opening of lock gates without further charge than the payment of dues.