9. Mr. SYDNEY JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that since the Dover Admiralty (or outer) Harbour has been taken over by the Dover Harbour Board, refuge dues are charged on windbound vessels which receive no advantage from the harbour erections and the cost of their maintenance; and, having regard to the desirability of doing nothing to deter masters of sailing vessels from putting into and remaining in the harbour in the interests of safety of masters and men while weather conditions are unsafe, will he make representations to the Dover Harbour Board, urging that the new imposition on weather-bound sailing ships be withdrawn?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Gosling)I have been asked to reply. The Dover Harbour Board were authorised by Parliament last year to levy half dues on vessels putting into the harbour in distress, which in all the circumstances are, I think, not unreasonable. I am not prepared, therefore, to urge the Harbour Board to withdraw the charges levied, but I have communicated a copy of the hon. Member's question to them.