§ MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the names of the local authorities which have recently 1071 made representations, either to him or to the First Lord of the Treasury, with regard to the advisability of the construction of a harbour of refuge on the coast of North Devon or Cornwall. I may also ask the right lion. Gentleman if, having regard to the fact that the Devonshire County Council sit to-mo row, he can make any statement as to the course that ought to be pursued.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURRepresentations have been received from the Cornwall County Council, the Corporations of Bideford and St. Ives, the Urban District Councils of Looe, Northam, Padstow, and Stratton and Bude, the Rural District Councils of Stratton and Barnstaple, and the Parish Council of St. Endellion. In answer to the additional Question, I am afraid I have not quite apprehended its object. I can hardly venture to give advice to the Devonshire County Council, but if any county council or local authority will next year appoint an engineer to report as to the establishment of a harbour, the site and the cost of construction, and if the report is sent to me, I will; submit it to the Harbour Grants Committee for their consideration, even if the conditions laid down by the Treasury are not strictly complied with.