§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Department will refund the sum of £9 7s. 3d., paid under protest for light dues by the agent for the owners of the steamer Ixia, of North Shields, which, during a long and very stormy voyage from Baltimore to Keil, put into Storno- 1701 way on the 29th of December last, when the captain purchased fresh provisions for the crew at a cost of £6, Light Dues to the amount mentioned were demanded, although the vessel discharged no cargo, took none on hoard, and sailed from the harbour on her voyage to the Baltic on the day of her arrival at Stornoway?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe Light Dues in the case referred to by the hon. Member were levied under statutory provisions from which the Board of Trade have no power to grant exemption. The Board of Trade cannot refund Dues so paid; but the question of submitting an Order to Her Majesty in Council to exempt in future from payment of Light Dues vessels which, under certain circumstances, put into port for provisions, is now being considered.