§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the North and South Dublin unions and other public bodies have passed resolutions suggesting the assimilation of the existing Port and Docks franchise with the Parliamentary register; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation upon the subject?
§ Mr. DUKEThe reply to the first part of the queston is in the affirmative. The proposal to assimilate the Port and Docks Board franchise with the Parliamentary franchise and thus take away from the trading and shipping interests special representation on the Board is one on which the Board of Trade, within whose province the constitution of Port Authorities lies, would have to be consulted.