THE LIGHTHOUSE IN ECONOMICS 361 the Department,there are also present at the conference members of the Lights Advis, Committee,a c ommittee of the Chamber of Shipping (a trade association)representing shipowners,underwriters and shippers.The Lights Advisory Committee,although without statutory authority,plays an important part in the review pre cedure and the as it expresses taken into account both by the lighthouse authorities in drawing up their budgets and by the Department in deciding on whether to approve the budgets.The light dues are set by the Department at a level which will yield,over a period of rs,an amount of money sufficient to meet the likely expenditures.But in deciding on the program of works and changes in existing arrangements the participants in the conference,and particularly the mem- bers of the Lights Advisory Committee,have regard to the effect which new works or changes in existing arrangements would have on the level of light dues The basis on which light dues are levied was set out in the second Schedule to the Mercha nt ing (Mercantile Marine Fund)Act of 189.Modifica- tions to the level of the dues and in certain other respects have been made since then by Order in Council but the present method of charging is essen. tially that established in 1898.The dues are so much per net ton e for all vesels arrivin at or departing from.ports case of "Home Trade"ships,there is no further liability for light dues after 'sduo-u opue 01 is no further liability afte 6o) ages. The light dues different for these two categories of ship and are such that,for a s ship of given size,10 voyages for a"Home Trade"ship yield approximately the same sum as 6 voyages for a "Foreign-going"ship.Some categories of ship pay at a lower rate per net ton:sailir gvessels of more thar 00 tons and cruise ships.Tugs and pleasure yachts make an annual payment rather than a payment per voyage.In addi- tion,some ships are exempt from light dues:ships belonging to the British or Foreign Governments (unless ca ying carg r passe for remunera tion),fish ing vessels,hoppers an dredges,sailing vessels (except pleasure yachts)of less than 100 tons,all ships (including pleasure yachts)of less than 20 tons,vessels (other than tugs or pleasure yachts)in ballast,or put- ting in for bunker fuel or stores be ase of the haz rds of the sea.Al these statements are subject to qualification.But they make clear the general nature of the scheme. The present position is that the expenses of the British lighthouse service are met out of the General Lighthouse Fund,the income of which comes from light dues.In addition to expenditures on lighthouses in Great Britain 861&62Vic.c44.sch.2 e地9gnme28063om570731458 on sepier虹.2016102726N cago Conditions(http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/t-and-c). This content downloaded from 137.073.144.138 on September 27, 2016 10:27:46 AM All use subject to University of Chicago Press Terms and Conditions (http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/t-and-c)