§ MR. A. C. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Great Western Railway Company are charging 57s. 6d. per ton from New Milford to London for Irish mackerel and herrings, the rate charged for the same fish from New Milford to Liverpool (about the same distance) being only 30s. per ton; and will he represent to the Railway Company that such rates exclude large supplies of fresh fish from London, and injure the Irish fishermen?
§ MR. MUNDELLAYes, Sir; the facts are as stated in the hon. Member's question. The Railway Company contend—(1) that the rate to London is a reasonable one in itself, as is proved by the fact that it has stood the test of many years' experience, and has developed a large traffic; (2) that the rate to Liverpool is influenced by sea competition from the Fishing Grounds to the Ports of Holyhead, Liverpool, and Fleetwood; and (3) that the arrangement is in the interest of the buyers at Milford, who are enabled to distribute the fish landed there wherever there is a suitable market.
MR. P. J. POWER (Waterford, E.)Is it not a fact that instead of developing the Irish fishing industry in the county of Waterford the Company are retarding it in every possible way. Is not that the local feeling?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI am not aware what the local opinion is.