§ MR. COLLERY (Sligo, N.)I bog to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that £4 2s. 6d. per ton is charged for certain goods from Broad Street Station, London, to Bally- 1663 mote, County Sligo, Ireland; if he can say how that amount is proportionately charged on the English and Irish lines over which it passed, and if it is in accordance with the revised rates lately adopted by the Railway Companies; and whether he could devise any remedy by which small traders would be protected from such charges?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI have communicated with the Railway Company, and learn that the rate for boots and shoes is as stated by the hon. Member, and that this rate was not altered at the revision, but has been in operation for years. The Company have not informed me how the amount is proportionately charged on the English and Irish lines; but they say that the rate is under the maximum powers, and that the maximum charge for this traffic between North Wall and Ballymote is 31s. 3d. per ton. In cases in which a legal charge is made I am, of course, powerless to interfere.