The Scotch or Northern Lights are under the management of a set of parliamentary commissioners. The act 6 & 7 Will. 4. c. 79. s. 40. enacts, that from the 1st of January, 1837, all British and foreign privileged vessels, not wholly in ballast, which shall pass any Scotch lighthouse, or derive any benefit therefrom, shall pay d. per ton for each time of passing every such lighthouse, except that on the Bell Rock, for which they are to pay Id. per ton each time of passing. Fo reign vessels, not privileged, pay double these rates.

Irish Lights. The rates of charge are as follows:Foreign vessels, d. per ton for each light passed; except harbour lights, which are only chargeable to vessels entering the ports within which they are situated.

British and Irish, d. per ton (d. if in ballast), for each light, except as above.

With a duty of 2s, on every entry, cocket, or warrant, when from foreign ports, but not otherwise.

Compensation to Private Parties. The authority acquired by certain individuals and public bodies under letters patent, acts of parliament, and otherwise, of levying certain duties on account of lights, beacons, pilotage, harbour dues, &c. entitled them, for the most part, to demand higher fees from foreign than from British shipping. When, therefore, we entered into reciprocity treaties with foreign powers, government had to compensate the parties in question for the diminution that consequently took place in their charges on foreign ships. But this payment has now ceased, the Trinity Corporation having long since relinquished their claim to compensation; and the act 6 & 7 Will. 4. c. 79. having forbid such compensation being made to them, the Commissioners of Northern Lights, and the commissioners for managing the Irish lights. (For some account of the Trinity Corporation, the reader is referred to that article; and for accounts of the charges on account of Beaconage, Ballastage, Pilotage, &c. see these titles.)