HC Deb 29 September 1909 vol 11 c1254
Mr. M'ARTHUR

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that the Departmental Committee on Light Dues, appointed in 1894, in their Report deprecated the accumulation of any balance exceeding £100,000, be could say why the balance standing to the credit of the General Lighthouse Fund had been allowed to grow until it amounted approximately to £529,000, instead of being applied to a reduction in the dues?

Mr. CHURCHILL

With the object of reducing the accumulated balance the dues authorised to be levied by the Merchant Shipping (Mercantile Marine Fund) Act, 1898, were reduced by 12½ per cent. in 1903, and by a further reduction of 7½ per cent., making 20 per cent. in all, in 1907; but these reductions of dues were more than counterbalanced by the increase of shipping tonnage which took place and on which dues are paid. A further reduction of 10 per cent., making 30 per cent. altogether, came into operation for three years from 1st April last, and unless the tonnage of shipping increases at a more rapid rate than appears to be the case at present, it is anticipated that the effect of this reduction will be a large diminution in the amount of the accumulated balance.