§ 17. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the proposed public Inquiry into the Port 9 of London by-laws regarding the licensing of lightermen and watermen will include the regulations affecting the owners of small boats who ply for hire on the middle reaches of the Thames; whether he is aware that the existing by-laws respecting especially the registration and licensing of such boats are out of date and otherwise in an unsatisfactory state; and, if so, whether there will be an opportunity for this trade to be represented at the public Inquiry?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. Buxton)The only by-laws which can form the subject of the Inquiry are those which have been submitted by the Port of London Authority for confirmation, and which deal with the qualifications of watermen and lightermen. The Inquiry will have nothing to do with the conditions of registration and licensing of boats.