§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in some instances the registered tonnage of vessels is only about one tenth of the gross tonnage or cargo carried; whether he has had complaints from Irish Harbour Boards upon this subject; and whether he can state if the Board of Trade propose to remedy this inequality between the registered and gross tonnage of vessels.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURYes, Sir; I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, and the Board of Trade have under consideration an instruction to their officers which it is hoped will mitigate the inequality complained of. Meanwhile, as I have already stated to the House, it is open to harbour authorities to endeavour to obtain powers to levy dues based on the gross instead of on the net tonnage of vessels by means of local Acts.