* MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the inhabitants of Bootle, in order to reach New Brighton, on the opposite side of the Mersey, and distant about one mile, have to travel about five miles by road to the Prince's Landing Stage, and thence about two miles by ferry boat to New Brighton; and seeing that New Brighton is a popular seaside resort, and that the population of Bootle, which is mainly composed of the industrial classes, is debarred from taking advantage of the health advantages of New Brighton for want of a direct ferry across the Mersey, whether he can do anything to induce or compel the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board to provide the necessary ferry accommodation.
§ MR. RITCHIEI understand that, as stated by the hon. Member, there
† See The Parliamentary Debates [Fourth Series], Vol. lxxxi., page 323.414 is no direct ferry between Bootle and New Brighton. As far as I am aware, the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board do not work the ferries across the Mersey, and the matter appears to be one in the first instance for the Bootle or Wallasey local authorities. In any case the Board of Trade have no power to compel the establishment of ferries in the Mersey.
* MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the owners of the ferries are willing to send their boats to Bootle, but the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board will not provide the necessary landing accommodation?
§ MR. RITCHIEI shall be happy to receive any information the hon. Member may communicate to me, but I repeat that the Board of Trade have no power to compel the establishment of ferries on the Mersey.