§ MR. JACKS (Stirlingshire)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many trades and industries in Scotland are being paralysed by the high rates now being charged by the Railway Companies; whether, in view of this serious state of things, the Board of Trade will use its influence to induce the Railway Companies to charge the old rates until the matter is finally arranged, collecting any difference between the old and new 320 rates then, instead of charging the new rates and returning any rebate after the settlement of the matter; and whether he could make this a condition of the extension to Easter of the time for the final adjustment of rates?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideI have received a considerable number of complaints of increases in railway rates from Scotland. All that I can say now is that I am pressing the Scotch Companies in the matter through the Railway Association. But I have at present no power to impose conditions on them.