HC Deb 02 February 1893 vol 8 cc232-4
MR. THOMAS ROBINSON (Gloucester)

I desire to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the many and serious complaints made of the excessive charges now made by the railway companies, under the anthority of a recent Act of Parliament, he has considered the desirability of getting the jurisdiction of the Board of Trade extended, so as to anthorise the Board to deal with such complaints when called upon to do so; and whether he is prepared to introduce a short Bill with that object?

MR. CHARLES M'LAREN (Leicester, Bosworth)

I wish to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can, in response to the representations officially made to him by meetings of farmers and others at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Hinckley, Market Bosworth, and other places in Leicestershire, and also by the various agricultural and trade societies in that county, hold out the hope that the railway companies will without further delay reduce the angmented rates for milk, farm produce, timber, and coal, published on lst January, 1893, to the level at which they stood before that date; mind, if not, whether he will introduce a measure to compel the carrying companies to make such reduction?

MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)

I wish to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to take any measures calculated to prevent the railway companies of Great Britain and Ireland from levying rates prejudicial to the commerce of the three Kingdoms?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, Brightside

The very numerous complaints of traders which are daily brought before the Board of Trade are at once brought under the notice of the companies and the Railway Association, with whom we are in constant com- munication. I am assured that these complaints are being dealt with as rapidly as the pressure of business on the Committee appointed for the purpose will permit, and that concessions are daily being made which they hope will be satisfactory. Already two important companies have returned to the old milk rates, and I trust that the others will speedily follow their example, not only with reference to milk, but, other articles of home produce. I think it is desirable to see the full effect of these negotiations before considering whether any further legislation on the subject is necessary.

MR. FIELD

May I ask the right, hon. Gentleman whether it is the intention of the railway companies to return to their old rates and charges, and if an Opportunity—(Cries of "Order!")—well can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House if any arrangements have been made between the Government and the Board he represents and the railway companies in order to prevent an injurious rise in rates all over the three Kingdoms?

MR. MUNDELLA

My answer practically dealt with that question. We shall object to the railways returning to the old rates, because some of those old rates have been reduced by the Statute, and those reductions should be adhered to. With respect to other rates, we are bringing them under the notice of the railway companies daily, almost hourly, and I hope they will very speedily return to the old rates.

MR. T. J. HEALY (Wexford, N.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in any communications which have passed between him and the Government, he has raised the question of rebates being granted on the rates which have been charged in the event of sonic shrinkage being arranged for?

MR. MUNDELLA

Yes; in the case of milk rates and sonic other rates which have been re-arranged a rebate will be allowed from the 1st of January, When the new rates came into operation.

SIR J. WHITEHEAD (Leicester)

I wish to ask my right hon. Friend a question of which I have given him private notice. It is, whether he has seen the reports of the large and representative meeting respecting railway rates which was held in the London Mansion House on the 30th ult., and whether, in view of the vast interests involved, he can assure the House that the resolutions passed at that meeting will receive his early attention, or, failing that, whether he will afford me facilities for the Second Reading of my Bill on the subject?

MR. MUNDELLA

I read with great interest a report of the Mansion House meeting, and I was not at all disinclined to receive the protest made by the traders as to the increase of the rates. The answer I gave to a former question, that I did not think it desirable to consider further legislation until we saw the result of further negotiations, will apply, however, to my hon. Friend's question. It is not in my power to promise to devote any portion of the Government time to the subject.