PROVISIONAL OHDER BILL. (Hansard, 21 June 1910)

§ Mr. MORTON
I beg to move to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day three months."
This Bill is of somewhat the same nature as the measure discussed last evening. Therefore, I shall not repeat, more than I can help, the arguments used on that occasion. I would, however, ask the representative of the Board of Trade to answer the question then put, namely, why we have not the accounts of the Port 285 of London Authority for the year ending 31st March, 1910? Without those accounts it is really impossible properly to consider the proposed Provisional Order. What amount are these fees expected to produce? I have had estimates given me varying from £12,000 to £40,000 per annum. Whatever the amount, it will be a charge upon the traders who use the Port of London. The fees seem to me. rather heavy, although I understand that as they are maximum rates they may not be fully charged. The annual charge for a steam tug is to be £6; for a steam barge, £2; for a canal barge, £l; and so on down to Is. for registering the address of a permanent hirer of any one craft. I should like to ask the hon. Gentleman what is the present income of the Port of London 1 There are somewhat similar fees, I think, being charged now, and I should like to know if he can tell us what they amount to. I should also like to know what is the estimated amount of money that this Bill will produce, and to what purpose the money so raised is to be devoted?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That does not arise in this Bill. It is a question of craft.

§ Mr. MORTON
Very well, I am only asking what is the money to be raised by this particular Bill before us to-night, and what is it to be used for. Of course, after what occurred last night, and the long discussion, it is not at all necessary for me to occupy much time now or even to move the Resolution of which I gave notice. I do not want to trouble the House, but I do trust the hon. Gentleman who represents the Board of Trade will be able to give the House the information I have asked for. It is in the interests of trade, and we have a right to think of the traders on the river, and see that they are not overcharged, and that the money raised is spent for some useful purpose.

§ Mr. PERCY ILLINGWORTH (Lord of the Treasury)
The first point of my hon. Friend was, I think, why accounts are not submitted to this House by the Port Authority? I think I may tell the hon. Gentleman, without going into details as to the Section under which this Provisional Order is framed, that these actual charges, which are in operation at an present moment under the Port of London Act, 1908, have only been in operation since 1st April this year. It is, therefore, impossible, of course, that any accounts should be presented.

§ Mr. MORTON
There was no charge previous to this at all?

§ Mr. ILLINGWORTH
I am referring merely to matters which are concerned with this Provisional Order and the maximum rate for registration which may be charged. Under the fees which are now in actual operation, and which I shall presently refer to, the estimated income of the Port of London Authority from the sources mentioned in the Provisional Order is rather over £11,000. The Provisional Order refers to the maximum rate which may be charged. The Board of Trade held an inquiry in January last, in which the charges which were proposed by the Port Authority were considerably reduced. The consequence of this reduction is that at the present time the actual rate for barges is 6d. per ton, steam barges.£2 (in addition to the 6d. per ton); steam tugs, £5; canal barges, 10s.; and canal boats, 5s. That revenue will be used for the purposes for which the Port of London Authority has been constituted. That Authority has no shareholder to satisfy. It has been constituted with the sole and simple object of increasing the trade of the Port of London, for increasing the facilities of shipping, and attracting trade generally to the port. While I quite agree that in order to carry out these very desirable benefits which are to be conferred a revenue is necessary, it does not at all follow that it need be excessive. Besides the fees that are scheduled, not only as to the rates, but as to the registration of craft, are closely scrutinised by the interests concerned.

§ Mr. MORTON
What are the facilities which are going to be offered by the Authority on account of these fees?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That does not arise upon this Bill. That arose upon the original Act.

§ Mr. ILLINGWORTH
It is perfectly obvious that if the Port of London is going to benefit by an Act which was passed in 1908, that the barges also will benefit by the increased trade which it is hoped will be attracted to the port. I can calm any fear which the hon. Member may have entertained by telling him that any increase in the actual rates which are at present in operation can only be done under by-laws of the Port Authority, which have to be confirmed by a Board of Trade Provisional Order, and that only after full consideration and hearing all objections which may be advanced.

§ Mr. MORTON
May I ask my hon. Friend if it is proposed to send this Bill to the same Committee as that to which the Bill passed last night has been committed?

§ Mr. ILLINGWORTH
That does not rest with me. I take it that the ordinary procedure of the House will be followed.