§ COLONEL McCALMONT (Antrim, E)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he has received a memorial from the Urban District Council and the Harbour Commissioners of Carrickfergus relative to the free use of the harbour by Government vessels, and the expense thereby to which the local authorities are put; and, if so, whether, in consideration of these facts, he will give favourable attention to the prayer of the memorial by giving pecuniary assistance to the local authorities, as has been done recently in Sligo and other places.
§ MR. RUNCIMANAs regards the memorial and the general question of giving further assistance to the harbour, I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for South Down. I cannot admit that the statutory exemption of Government vessels from harbour dues affords any reason for altering the conditions of this loan.
§ COLONEL McCALMONTIs it proper for the Government to make use of harbours constructed by private enterprise, and the quays and roads leading thereto, without paying anything for them?
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe Carrickfergus Harbour is treated in exactly the same manner as every other harbour in the United Kingdom.
§ MR. J. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)Has the hon. Gentleman now received the memorial as to which I asked yesterday?
§ MR. RUNCIMANYes, Sir.
§ MR. J. MACVEAGHWhen? Yesterday you said the Treasury had not received it.
§ MR. RUNCIMANA day has intervened since then.