§ MR. W. F. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the Mersey Dock Acts, in the matter of by-laws of the Dock Board, the sanction thereto by the Department is judicial with a view to safeguard the interests of all parties; whether, with reference to "By-laws re Master Porters' Rates,'' the Department has recently declined to adjudicate, on the ground that it is a matter of such local and technical detail that they cannot advantageously interfere with the discretion of the Board; and, whether, in default of any action by the Department, the latter can suggest any other impartial authority to adjudicate on a matter materially affecting considerable and conflicting interests?
§ MR. BRYCEI have arranged for a Conference, to be held at the Board of Trade next week, between representatives of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, and of those who have objected to the alterations recently proposed by the Dock Board in the Master Porters' rates. I hope that this action may result in a solution of the difficulty which has arisen in the matter.