§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that preferential rates of over 50 per cent., allowed by the South Western Railway Company on Foreign as against English agricultural produce are in direct contravention of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act of 1888, and, as such, illegal and actionable; and whether he will make representations to the company on the matter?
§ * THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideAs I have already informed the hon. and gallant Member, I have no power to determine the illegality of rates charged by Railway Companies. Under the Act of 1888 the burden of proving that a lower charge or difference in treatment does not amount to an undue preference lies on the Railway Company, but that question is one for the Railway Commissioners and not for me to decide. I have, as I previously stated, communicated with the Railway Company.