§ MR. T. ROBINSON (Gloucester)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Commission appointed to inquire into the classification of goods and the fixing of rates of carriage under the Railway and Canal Traffic Act of 1888 have reported to the Board of Trade the result of their inquiry; whether he is aware that the merchants and traders of this country are very desirous of having these important matters settled promptly; and whether he will be in a position to bring this question before the House of Commons in time to be dealt with this Session?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI fully appreciate the desire of the merchants and traders of this country that effect should be given as speedily as possible to the provisions of Section 24 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888; but I must remind the hon. Member that Lord Balfour of Burleigh and Mr. Boyle sat for 84 days; that no less than 178 witnesses on behalf of the traders were examined before them; and that their inquiry was only concluded on the 21st of May. I hope to be in a position to present a Report to Parliament before the end of July. But, unless the recommendations which it will be the duty of the Board of Trade to make prove acceptable to both sides, I can hardly anticipate that it will be possible to legislate this Session.