§ MR. A. LAFONE (South wark, Bermondsey)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, if his attention has been called to a circular, dated 4th February 1896, issued by the London and India Docks Joint Committee to the ship owners, by which they seek to evade the terms and obligations of their Act of Parliament and the 5th and 6th Clauses of the Merchant Shipping Act, and by such means to tax all goods delivered on over-side entries in this port; and, what action he is prepared to take making the evasion of the said Acts impossible?
§ MR. RITCHIEMy attention has not been called to the circular referred to by the hon. Member, but I may add that the matter would not appear to be one with respect to which the Board of Trade have any statutory powers. I am unable to understand the reference made by the hon. Member to Sections 5 and 6 of the Merchant Shipping Act. If the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, be intended, Sections 5 and 6 appear to have no reference to the matter.