§ SIR THOMAS DEWAR (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)To ask the President of the Board of Trade, seeing that the charges made on British vessels entering United States ports are estimated to produce about £70,000 annually, and that it has recently been decided to reduce to the of 12½ per cent. the charge For light dues on all vessels entering British ports, can he see his way to communicate with the United States Government with a view to secure a compensating reduction in the charges made on British vessels entering United States ports.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I will have the figures carefully gone into and consider in conjunction with the 849 Foreign Office whether any representations could usefully be made to that Government on the subject.