§ Mr. Cayleyinquired whether, with reference to what had fallen from the right hon. Gentleman, the President of the Board of Trade, on a former evening, he would be prepared on the part of the Government to propose any measure on the subject of harbours of refuge on the north eastern coast.
§ Mr. P. Thomsondenied, that anything had fallen from him on a former occasion to justify the hon. Member in supposing that Government had taken up the question. On that occasion he objected to a particular bill, by which tolls were authorised to be levied, being introduced as a private bill, thinking as he did, that a bill giving such an authority ought to have been a public bill. Nor could he give the hon. Gentleman an affirmative answer as to whether the Government would take up the question of harbours of refuge, for no sooner was it suggested, that any one particular spot was fitted for the purpose in any part of the kingdom than up started five or six gentlemen, each maintaining that there was some spot in their 1010 own immediate neighbourhood more especially adapted to the purpose. He could, however, promise that the Admiralty would give every assistance in their power in perfecting the surveys of the coast.