MR. ROBERT SPENCER (Northampton, Mid)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the maximum rates which the Board of Trade may agree upon with the Railway Companies will increase the actual rates to be charged for the conveyance of agricultural and dairy produce?
§ *SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe hon. Member will understand that the whole question is now under consideration, and that it is not possible for me at this stage to say anything as to the relation of future maxima rates to present actual rates.
§ MR. COBBCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Report or the result of the Railway Rates inquiry will be laid before the House?
§ *SIR M. HICKS BEACHI am not surprised at the hon. Member's question. The inquiry has lasted a great deal longer than I thought it would. I will do my best to bring the result before the House in the present Session, in the manner contemplated by the Act.
§ MR. MUNDELLA (Sheffield, Brightside)May I ask if it is not the fact that maximum rates do not affect the actual rates charged?
§ *SIR M. HICKS BEACHI thought that everybody understood that.