§ SIR GEORGE BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can present a Return of the names of foreign States and British colonies which defray the costs of the public lighting of their coasts from light dues levied on shipping?
§ MR. RITCHIEIn the Report of a Departmental Committee of 1888 it was stated that down to 1885 the only maritime States in which tonnage dues were not levied were Chili and the Netherlands. It is true that in some eases dues were not levied under the name of light dues, but, under whatever name they were levied, they were applied, amongst other services, to the maintenance of lights or works for the improvement of harbours and navigation. The statement, therefore, so often made, that the United Kingdom and Turkey were the only two maritime States that charge dues for the maintenance of lights, etc., is not correct.
§ SIR GEORGE BADEN-POWELLasked could the right hon. Gentleman grant a Return?
§ MR. RITCHIEreplied that he had not got full particulars which would enable him to give a Return, but when he informed the hon. Gentleman that the only maritime States in which tonnage dues were not charged were Chili and the Netherlands he thought he would hardly think a Return necessary.
§ SIR GEORGE BADEN-POWELLLight dues?
§ MR. RITCHIEYes. I have told him they are called tonnage dues, but in most cases they are for the purpose of lighting the coast.
§ SIR GEORGE BADEN-POWELLAnd for other purposes?
§ MR. RITCHIEYes.