§ Sir J. LEIGHasked the President of the Board of Trade how many officials are employed in the Mercantile Marine Department of the Board of Trade, and what is the total annual cost of this Department; and whether he is considering the introduction of a Bill to place the cost of this Department upon shipowners?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEIn the Estimates for the current year, 1922–23, Class II, Vote 12, Mercantile Marine Services, provision is made for a total staff of 1,184, and the toal net Vote is £442,415. The Fees (Increase) Bill proposes to enable the Department to recover half the cost of certain services by means of fees.