12. Mr. COL.LISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is 236 aware of the fact that the Holme Cultram Urban Council of Cumberland are compelled to impose a rate of 1s. 1.d annually for sea-wall defence, and whether, having regard to the fact that this is a national service, he will consider the question of making it a national charge?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI had not previously heard of the rate referred to in the question. The general question was fully considered by a Royal Coin-mission which reported in 1911 very definitely against placing the burden on the Exchequer, pointing out that such a course might easily lead to an enormous expenditure. from public funds, and I ant not prepared to reopen the question.