42. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty why the Admiralty has not paid the 75 per cent. of the money due to the Orkney Harbour Commissioners in respect of work done and tonnage dues; and if there is any good reason why the Admiralty have taken no-notice of letters addressed since last January up to 15th February?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe case of the Orkney Harbour Commissioners is similar to those of many other dock and harbour authorities in which, owing to the lack of any exact record of the facts upon which a claim could be based, it has proved to be impossible to ascertain what sum may be due under the concessions recently granted in respect of harbour and dock dues. His Majesty's Government are at present considering the best method of surmounting the difficulty, and I hope that a satisfactory arrangement with the representative committee of the dock and harbour authorities will shortly be made. I regret that there should have been any apparent discourtesy on the part of the Admiralty in not replying directly to the commissioners, but we have been in close touch with the representative committee throughout, and it was assumed that the Orkney Harbour Commissioners were aware that proposals for dealing with the matter were being discussed. If it would relieve the present exigencies of the commissioners, we shall be glad to give directions for the payment of a sum on account.