An Hon. Memberbegged to ask the right hon. the Vice President of the Board of Trade, whether it was the intention of Government to propose any alteration in the mode of levying Fees on Vessels performing Quarantine?
§ Mr. Poulett Thomsonsaid, that perhaps, on consideration, it might be desirable to make some alteration. At present these fees were paid by the owners, and did not amount to more than 5,000l. a year. It had not yet been determined whether or not they should be wholly abolished, and the expense paid by the country. At all events, he did not propose to make any alteration this Session.
Mr. Humeheard this statement of the right hon. Gentleman with regret. It was now three years since he had first brought the subject under the consideration of the House, and he had thought, from the promises he had received, that some measure would have been proposed to amend the system. The right hon. Gentleman said the fees did not exceed 5,000l. a year—he believed, on inquiry, it would be found they exceeded five times that sum. The fee was 5l. on each vessel, whatever was the amount of her tonnage. The object of keeping up the establishment was for the public benefit; it was, therefore, unjust to call upon the merchant to pay the charges. It was one of the worst species of taxes—one imposed upon misfortune—and it ought to be wholly abolished, and the expenses of the Quarantine Establishment defrayed by the public. England was the only country in the world where such strict regulations were enforced, and where the owners of the ships liable to them were compelled to pay the expense of the constraint they suffered. At present, also, many of the persons subject to them, could not have been previously aware of their liability, because many vessels were at Riga, loaded, and ready to sail, before the cholera appeared there.
Mr. Ewartentirely agreed with the hon. member for Middlesex, as to the hardship of imposing quarantine fees 936 upon the owners of ships. He trusted that his right hon. friend would consider the case at his earliest opportunity, with a view to the revision of the system.
§ Mr. Dixonhad presented several petitions from Glasgow, Greenock, and other places, on this subject, and he begged to express his entire concurrence in the remarks of both the hon. Gentlemen who preceded him. The quarantine fees were most oppressive, and ought to be abolished.
Mr. Humewould add, that if Government did not attend to the subject, he would bring the matter himself forward at an early period.