§ MR. NICOL (Argyllshire)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the fact that light dues have been levied against vessels engaged in inland navigation and in areas not lighted at the expense of the General Lighthouse Fund; and, if so, whether he will make such alterations as may be necessary to relieve these vessels from this tax.
MR. LONG (for Mr. RITCHIE)The question whether light dues should be levied on vessels exclusively engaged in areas not lighted at the expense of the General Lighthouse Fund has been brought to my notice. I am advised that such vessels are not exempt under the Act, and can only be exempted by Order in Council. This claim to exemption is only one of several which have arisen since the passing of the Act, and I propose that they shall all be very carefully considered as soon as we have a little more experience of the operation of the Act.