§ MR. REEDasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the insufficient provision at present existing for the arrival and departure of passengers by Foreign Steamers in the port of London; and, whether the Government will sanction the construction of a Steamboat Pier for this special service at the Custom House Quay?
§ MR. BAXTERSir, attention has been frequently called to the subject of my hon. Friend's Question, but the Treasury has, on the strong recommendation of the Commissioners of Customs, invariably declined to sanction the construction of a steamboat pier at the Custom House quay, and for the following, among other reasons:—they are advised that it would seriously obstruct the navigation of the river. Thames Street is already so overcrowded, that any addition to the traffic would cause material inconvenience to the public, and the due and safe performance of the duties of the Custom House officers would be incompatible with the erection of a pier necessarily open by night as well as by day.