§ MR. JAMES O'KELLYI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the amount of foreign-owned shipping sailing under the protection of the British flag, and what contribution towards the naval expenditure of Great Britain these foreign-owned ships pay, and whether he will devise means to compel them to pay adequately for the protection they enjoy.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI do not understand what is meant by "foreign-owned ships" in the question. A ship to be entitled to the protection of the British flag must be owned by British subjects or by bodies corporate established under British laws, and having their principal place of business in His Majesty's dominions. The owners would, therefore, be liable to taxation.