EARL COMPTON (Yorkshire, W. R., Barnsley)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Her Majesty's Government have received certain resolutions passed at a meeting held by the London Railway and Canal Charges Association, and of Affiliated Associations, protesting against the "increase of maximum charges" proposed by the chief Railway Companies in the classification and schedules of rates deposited with the Board of Trade, in accordance with Section 24 of "The Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888," and against the "excessive and unfair" terminal charges which the Railway Companies propose to add to their maximum rates; whether the case quoted by the chairman of that meeting is correct—that, in one schedule, where the distance is four miles—
The present rate charged for coal was 1s. a ton, which was also the maximum rate, and the new maximum rate proposed, including terminals, was 5s. 3d. per ton.What answer has been returned to the above-mentioned protests; and, what time would be allowed for further protest to be sent in?
§ SIR E. BIRKBECK (Norfolk, E.)also asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now prepared to state whether he will extend the time within which, under the Rules of the Board of Trade, objections may be sent in to the 367 Classifications of Merchandize and Schedules of Maximum Rates submitted by Railway Companies under Section 34 of "The Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888"?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH,) Bristol, W.I presume the noble Lord refers to the Railway and Canal Traders' Association, from whom I have received copies of Resolutions objecting to the proposed classifications and schedules of the chief Railway Companies, in which the phrases quoted are used. I have, however, not seen the observations of the Chairman. The Resolutions are under consideration, and the Executive of the Association have had an opportunity of explaining their views upon them. With regard to the last paragraph of the question, and a similar question which stands in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for East Norfolk, and which at my request he has postponed for some days, I may say that I have been reluctant to extend the time allowed for sending in objections to the proposed new classification and rates, because any such extension will make it quite impossible that the matter can be settled this year. But I have found so general a desire for an extension of time among traders and agriculturists in all parts of the country that, feeling the importance of full consideration of a matter which has to be settled once for all, I have decided to extend the time for eight weeks—namely, to June 3rd.
§ MR. WATT (Glasgow, Camlachie)I beg to ask if the President of the Board of Trade can give any idea as to the costs an individual trader might incur in lodging objections and taking procedure, as provided by the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, to protect his interests; and whether, in view of the unanimous opinion expressed at all the meetings held throughout the country, the Government will now agree to extend the time for lodging objections, which was fixed by the Act to expire on April 9 next, to June 9 next?
§ *SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHAs far as the Board of Trade are concerned, no costs need be incurred by any person making objections with which they are empowered to deal. It is obviously impossible to give any idea as to the costs which may be incurred 368 by persons lodging objections with the Railway Commissioners.