HC Deb 19 June 1893 vol 13 cc1333-4
MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, on 7th April last, the Secretary of the East and West Junction and Stratford-on-Avon, Towcester, and Midland Junction Railways Company wrote to the Board of Trade that arrangements had been made to adopt a reduced rate for the conveyance of milk, and that this would apply to all traffic forwarded since 31st December, 1892; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding this promise, Messrs. J. G. Parker and John Fearn and others connected with the milk trade have been, and are still being, charged the increased rate from Kineton to Euston, and that the Company have refused, and still refuse, to carry their milk unless the increased rate is actually paid; whether he is aware that in similar cases in dealing with large firms and companies the Railway Companies have been carrying goods and produce without exacting the payment of the increased rates, leaving a final settlement of account in the future; and whether he will make representations to the Railway Company in question, with a view of putting an end to the inconvenience and loss now being suffered by farmers and others in the Kineton district?

MR. MUNDELLA

On the 7th April the Railway Company informed the Board of Trade that they proposed to adopt a reduced rate, and that it would (where necessary) apply to all traffic forwarded since December 31st. I have now received a letter from the Company, in which they state that the rate of 1d. per gallon in operation prior to January 1st was charged in error by their station agent, the proper rate being l¼d. The Company add that Messrs. Parker and Fearn are the only senders of milk from Kineton Station. In answer to the third and fourth paragraphs of the hon. Member's question, I believe that there are cases where such an arrangement has been made, and I will communicate further with the Railway Company with reference to the complaint.

MR. COBB

But is it not a fact that previous to the 31st December last the rate was 1d., and it has since been increased to 1¼d.?

MR. MUNDELLA

Yes; but the Company explain that this was a mistake of the station-master's, and the excess charge will be refunded.