§ COLONEL BLUNDELL (Lancashire S.W., Ince)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Report of the Board of Trade inquiry into Railway Rates, of which Lord Balfour of Burleigh was President, will be issued, as the Midland, London and North-Western, Great Western, and North Staffordshire Railway Companies have announced an increase of 9d. per ton upon coal and coke to Hastings and St. Leonards, such increase to take effect from 1st August?
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHI do not see the precise connection between the first and second parts of my hon. Friend's question. As provided by the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, a Report 504 will be presented to Parliament when it is seen whether the companies do or do not come to an agreement with the Board of Trade on the maximum rates proposed.