§ 17. Mr. WATTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a quantity of granite from Norway was within recent months permitted to be imported into Aberdeen by the Imports Committee and a much smaller quantity refused a licence for Glasgow; if so, will he say why this preference is given to one town over another; and is it left entirely in the option of the Controller and his subordinates to permit importations or otherwise as they choose?
Mr. ROBERTSI am informed that one consignment of granite was admitted several months ago, since when no further imports have been licensed. There is no question of preference as between one town and another. The granting of licences is at the discretion of the Board of Trade.