HC Deb 10 December 1900 vol 88 cc346-7
MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the com- plaints from Dundalk, Drogheda, and a number of port authorities in Ireland as to the mode of measuring ships, whereby dues are raised on tonnage far below the real weight of the cargo, and the authorities are deprived of the moans of effectively carrying on the effective working of the ports over which they have jurisdiction; and will he state whether the Government intend to submit any legislation on the subject.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

My attention has been called to the complaints to which the hon. Member refers, and the Board of Trade are preparing instructions with the view of meeting them, so far as that is possible under the existing law. The whole subject is an intricate and difficult one, and, as at present advised, I am not prepared to propose fresh legislation with regard to it.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Will the instructions be made public?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

Yes, they will be issued shortly to the authorities concerned.