§ Mr. CLANCYasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Kingstown Harbour, on the 1st November, 1910, published a schedule of dues, omitting the exception in favour of the London and North-Western steamers contained in the schedule previously in force, and purporting to charge all vessels, passenger or otherwise, for the use of the harbour dues at the rate of 5½d. per ton on not less than 50 per cent. of the gross tonnage of such vessels; whether, nevertheless, the Commissioners in the case of the London and North-Western steamers, have not charged that company dues in accordance with the new schedule, but have allowed the company to use the harbour for twelve months by the payment of a lump sum equivalent to the dues on six voyages only; and whether it is the intention of the Commissioners to continue the same preferential treatment in the case of the vessels of the London and North-Western Company, notwithstanding that a deficit exists on the working of Kingstown Harbour?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThere was no special exception in favour of the London and North-Western Railway Company's steamers either before or after the publication in 1910 of the schedule of dues, which is correctly stated in the question;336W the commutation of dues is also accepted from the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, the only other company whose passenger vessels regularly use the harbour. The arrangement is to continue during the currency of the present mail contract with the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company. I should add that under the Packet Company's contract with the Post Office the Postmaster-General pays any excess over nominal dues of 5s. a trip formerly payable by the company.