§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Board of Works, Ireland, exact a tonnage rate in excess of the weight carried by canal boats on the Grand Canal, Ireland, and that vessels coming into Irish ports pay upon a registered tonnage less than the cargo carried: and whether he can explain the difference of system regarding the rating of inland waterway boats and ocean vessels.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIf I rightly appreciate the question, the hon. Member is comparing the tonnage rate charged for inland waterways for conveyance of goods with the harbour dues charged in respect of ocean vessels in 1384 ports. Conveyance rates and harbour dues do not seem to me to be comparable.