§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the Port Facilities Committee of the Shipowners' Parliamentary Committee has specifically recommended the adoption of a scheme for the improvement of the channel of the Lune between Glasson Dock and Lancaster and the reclamation of land in the vicinity, of which one of the chief beneficiaries will be the Duchy of Lancaster; and whether, in view of the fact that any such work, if carried out, will stimulate employment, the Duchy is prepared to contribute to the scheme, since local effort is unable to undertake the cost single-handed?
§ Sir O. MOSLEYI understand that whilst the Port Facilities Committee of the Shipowners Parliamentary Committee considered that the scheme, to which the hon. Member refers, would be useful in reducing unemployment, they did not consider that there was sufficient probability of the necessary increase in the revenue to cover either interest or sinking fund charges. The Duchy of Lancaster is not an adjoining landowner, and it is not clear that it will benefit by the proposed reclamation. Unless it is established that it would so benefit, the Duchy has no power to contribute to the scheme.