§ 55. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will supply a copy of the report of His Majesty's Ship "Flinders," on the estuary of the River Exe, to the Topsham barge owners; and whether he will arrange for a representative of these men to state their case before the conference which is considering this report?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANo report has been received of the recent survey by His Majesty's Ship "Flinders," but only tracings showing, if compared with an Admiralty chart, the results of the survey. As my hon. and gallant Friend was informed on 27th June, the object of the proposed conference is to discuss the technical aspects of the survey and the question of allowing dredging operations will be considered thereafter. When that stage is reached, an opportunity will no doubt be given for the barge owners to state their case and the possibility of allowing them to see the tracings in question will be considered.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEDo we understand that their case will be in no way prejudiced by the conference?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThat is the tenor of my answer.