HC Deb 15 July 1913 vol 55 cc1072-3
94. Mr. COOPER

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total sum derived from charges, dues, etc., port rates, and import charges on goods warehoused, levied by the Port of London Authority in the year ended 31st March, 1913 (or in the latest year for which figures are available), on foodstuffs, raw materials and manufactured articles, respectively, as classified in the annual statement of trade, giving the particulars separately for imports coastwise, imports from places outside the United Kingdom, exports coastwise, and exports to places outside the United Kingdom?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)

I am informed by the Port of London Authority that their accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1913, are not yet published, and that their books and records do not show how much of their revenue is derived from foodstuffs, raw materials, and manufactured articles, respectively, and do not distinguish between the revenue derived from coastwise and that derived from oversea imports and exports. The total sum derived from charges, dues, etc., port rates and import charges on goods warehoused, levied by the Port of London Authority in the year ended 31st March, 1912, is shown in the Third Annual Report of the Authority, which was presented to Parliament in February last (Parliamentary Paper, No. 523).

Mr. COOPER

Is it not a fact that officials of the Board of Trade have places on the Port of London Authority, and would it not be possible through them to obtain the information?

Mr. BUXTON

There is no representative of the Board of Trade on the Port of London Authority. We have power to appoint certain persons, but they are not representatives of the Board of Trade, and we have no control over them after they are appointed. But I will call the attention of the Port Authority to the hon. Member's request, and see how far they can comply with it.

Mr. O'GRADY

Has not this information been asked for for nine months? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Port Authority that they might supply the House with these figures?

Mr. BUXTON

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice of that.