§ Mr. CLANCYasked what was the deficit on the working of Kingstown Harbour for the years ending 31st March, 1908, 1909, and 1910 respectively; by how much would the deficit have been reduced in the two latter years if the Treasury had allowed the Commissioners of Kingstown Harbour to charge the steamers of the London and North-Western and Great Western Railway Companies dues at the rate of 5½d. per ton on 50 per cent, of the gross tonnage of those steamers, in accordance with the 1040 powers of the Commissioners as provided by Section 70 of the Dublin Port and Docks Act, 1902; and whether the Treasury intend to continue to allow the steamers of the companies mentioned to use this harbour, which is maintained at the public expense, for a nominal charge?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe net charge against the Vote was:—
Year to 31st March, 1908 … £7,959 do. 1909 … £9,427 do. 1910 … £8,051 If the London and North-Western Railway Company's steamers and the Great Western Railway Company's steamers had paid at the rates mentioned in the question (5½d. per ton on half the gross tonnage) the charge against the Vote would have been reduced by the following amounts:—
Year to 31st March, 1909 … £6,550 do 1910 … £6,700 No decision has yet been arrived at on the question of the rates to be charged in respect of the steamers of these companies, as the question is still under consideration.
§ Mr. MOONEYWill these companies have free use of the harbour as soon as the legal proceedings have finished?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI could not make any promise of that sort.
§ Mr. MOONEYIs it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman made the statement in this House that the London and North Western Railway, pending the action, were allowed the use of the harbour without paying the tonnage rate stated in the Act of Parliament, and so used the harbour practically free of charge?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo, in any case they were not using it free of charge, I should like to refresh my memory on the point before I make any definite statement.