HC Deb 23 February 1893 vol 9 cc166-7
SIR JAMES WHITEHEAD (Leicester)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will inquire of the London and South Western Railway Company whether the letter sent him on the 30th January by the General Manager of the London and South Western Railway Company, in which it is said that they have for the present-decided to charge the old rates for the carriage of milk, means that they hold themselves at liberty to increase the rates again Whenever it may please them to do so; and whether he will make a similar inquiry of the Midland Railway Company with regard to the letter from their general manager, dated the 10th February, in which it is stated that they have resolved to revert to the milk rates in operation prior to the end of last year, and to continue them until the 30th June next?

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

I cannot give a shorter answer than by reading two letters I have received from the London and South Western Railway and the Midland Railway respectively:—

"London and South Western Railway,

General Manager's Office,

Waterloo Station, London, S.E.,

22nd February, 1893.

Sir,—In reply to a communication of yesterday's date received from your Department in reference to a question to be put to-morrow to the President of the Board of Trade by Sir James Whitehead, I have to explain that owing to representations having been received by us during the early part of January from several large milk senders, to the effect that there were contracts running, some of which would expire shortly while others would run on to Michaelmas, 1893, we determined to revert to the old rates until that date, when, no doubt, some revision will have to be made more, however, with the object of correcting certain anomalies which have grown up than of making any general advance in rates, which, in the opinion of this company, ought not to be made during a period of agricultural depression.

I am, &c.,

(Signed) CHARLES SCOTTER.

Sir Courtnenay Boyle, K.C.B.,

Board of Trade."

That is all right, so far as it goes. The reply from the Midland Company, as follows, is not quite so satisfactory:—

"Midland Railway,

General Manager's Office, Derby,

22nd February 1893.

Dear Sir Courtenay,—With reference to the question of which Sir James Whitehead has given notice, relative to the rates in force upon the Midland Railway for milk traffic, I have to say that the scale of milk rates in force on the Midland Railway is below that adopted on several other lines, and that it is proposed to re-consider the scale and conditions with a view to the adoption, after June 30th next, of a scale less unremunerative and one more fairly and accurately adjusted to distances.

Any alteration which may be determined upon will, of course, be duly published before being put in operation.

Yours, &c,

(Signed) G. H. TURNER.

Sir Courtenay Boyle, K.C.B.,

Board of Trade,

London, S.W."