§ MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had before him and has considered any invitation to Her Majesty's Government to co-operate with the Government of the United States of North America in abolishing all lighthouse dues, tonnage taxes, or other equivalent tax or taxes on, and also all other fees for official service to, the vessels of the two nations employed in the trade between the THE ports of Great Britain and the United States; what other such dues, taxes, or fees are levied in Great Britain on United States vessels besides light dues; whether he will consider what steps can be taken with a view to the abolition of light dues as well as of any other such dues, taxes, or fees, as indicated in the Act of Congress of 1886, in order to secure for British vessels a total exemption from tonnage dues in the United States similar to that now extended there to Dutch vessels; and whether, in view of 399 the importance of the matter, he will reconsider the provisions of the Mercantile Marine Fund Bill, with a view to its effect upon the charges on British shipping in the United States?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEMy answer to the first question is in the negative. No dues, taxes, or fees (except light dues) are levied in Great Britain on United States vessels for official services—if by official services are meant services rendered by the Government, as distinguished from services rendered by harbour or dock authorities. The Government are not prepared to depart from the policy contained in the Mercantile Marine Fund Bill.
§ MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the right honourable Gentleman answer the last paragraph but one of the Question?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADENo, Sir; I am not prepared to take any such steps.
§ MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the right honourable Gentleman not even consider whether steps can be taken?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADENo, Sir; I think not.