§ MR. BAXTERsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if the attention to the Government has been directed to the Report of the Commissioners on the subject of Harbours of Refuge, recommending grants of public money, amounting to £2,365,000 to ten harbours; and if the Government intend to propose in the Estimates for 1859 to take a Vote on account, by agreeing to which the House would be committed to this expenditure; and if any further sum was to be asked this year for the works at Alderney and Dovor.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, the Report of the Commissioners had been presented only a few days before, and its importance was such that the Government could not possibly give any answer at present as to the course which they might adopt with respect to it. With regard to the latter part of the hon. Member's ques- 249 tion, it was intended to take the usual Vote this year for the works at Dovor and Alderney.