§ MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, owing to the great loss the present short hours entail on carmen and others, he will cause to be altered the time of opening and keeping open of the customs and other bonded warehouses from eight o'clock a.m. until six o'clock p.m. in summer, and from nine o'clock a.m. until six o'clock p.m. in winter?
§ MR. JACKSONI am not sure that the Government has power to order the opening of bonded warehouses. They are opened at eight in the morning and close at four in the summer. In, winter they open at nine and close at four. There are strong objections to warehouses remaining open after dark, and if there were a general extention of the hours, increased coat would be entailed. I am not aware that there has been any general demand on the part of traders for an extension of the hours during which warehouses are kept open. I am informed, however, that in cases of special emergency an extension of time is granted on application, and I think this meets the necessities of the case.
§ MR. WOOTTON ISAACSONWhat I alluded to was the Government bonded warehouses, and not private property, The closing of them at an early hour has been the cause of great loss to carriers and carmen.