§ MR. W. R. REA (Scarborough)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is now able to say whether a Royal Commission will be appointed to inquire into the incidence and administration of the light dues.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI did not gather from the tenor of the debate on Friday that there was any readiness on the part of the shipping community to accept the suggestion thrown out for an inquiry into the administration of the light dues. The Government never contemplated that any such inquiry should extend to the question of the incidence of the dues.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of Members voted against the Light Dues Bill the other day because they understood a Commission was to be appointed?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEAnd the Government are perfectly willing to have an inquiry into the administration if it is desired by the shipowners.
§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)Other people besides shipowners are interested.
§ MR. W. R. REAMay the House take it that the right hon. Gentleman will grant an inquiry?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGECertainly, if it is desired.