§ MAJOR RASCHI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the London and South Western Railway Company are, in contravention of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act of 1888, Clause 27, carrying goods, cheese, bacon, lard, eggs, &c, to and from steamships at Southampton Docks and London at rates not one-third of those charged for similar goods to and from Southampton and London, thereby giving a preferential rate of some 70 per cent. in favour of the foreigner as against the British farmer and Home producer; and whether he will make any representations to the company in the matter?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA, Sheffield, Brightside)I have received a complaint on the subject, which I have forwarded to the London and South Western Railway Company for their observations. I have no power to determine questions of undue preference.
§ MAJOR RASCHIf the right hon. Gentleman will allow me, I should like to send him a copy of the rate-book, which I have here?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI do not dispute the facts at all. But the Board of Trade have no power to intervene or to determine questions of this kind; they must go before the Railway Commissioners.