§ Mr. SHEPPERSONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and the Fenland areas are receiving for most varieties of potatoes, approximately, 30s. per ton, whilst the railway rates on this produce to the south, south-west, and west coast towns are, approximately, 30s. to 35s. per ton, or as much as the farmer receives; and whether he proposes to take any immediate steps to bring about a reduction of these railway rates and so relieve the industry from this excessive burden?
§ Lieut. - Colonel ASHLEYI have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed by the railway companies that they recently met a deputation of the English potato growers and merchants, and that after giving full and sympathetic coneideration to the representations made, and thoroughly reviewing the whole of the circumstances, they could not see their way to agree at the present to the application for special temporary concessions in the rates for potatoes from potato growing districts in England. The various trade associations have been so advised by the railway companies, but I would remind the hon. Member that it is open to traders to make application in the matter to the Rates Tribunal.