§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the increase in rates and higher classification adopted in many of the Railway Bills now before the House; whether it is the case that eighteen Bills propose to increase the rate or raise the classification of artificial manures; whether the Department of the Board of Trade has, in the Report to the House of Lords on Railway and other Bills, called attention to the proposed higher rates and classification of artificial manures; and, whether he can inform the House if the Board of Trade, or any official of this House, exercises any supervision of the rates and classification proposed in Railway Bills, so as to protect the public from excessive charges or unusual powers?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINThe Standing Order of the House of Lords, to which my hon. Friend refers, requires the Board of Trade to make a Report in all cases in which Railway Companies propose to increase their authorized rates; and in accordance with this Standing Order, the Board of Trade will report upon the Regent's Canal, City, and Docks Railway Bill, which, as I understand, is the only Bill this Session which proposes to increase authorized rates and fares. It is no part of the duty of the Board of Trade, and they have no authority, to report upon or to exercise any supervision over proposals of Railway Companies in regard to either the classification or the rates to be charged in the case of new Bills. In these cases, the Committees of the two Houses are 835 the authorities who are competent to deal with the subject.
§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYI do not think the right hon. Gentleman has answered the last Question.
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINI am under the impression that I have answered it. The Board of Trade does not exercise any supervision in the category of the Bills referred to.
§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can inform the House whether any official takes cognizance of these matters?
§ [No answer was given.]