§ MR. DALZIELI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the North British Railway Company has increased the rate of timber between Leith and Kirkcaldy from 2s. 8d. to 4s. per ton, and of furniture from 12s. 1d. to 15s; and whether, in view of the fact that the General Manager of the North British Company stated before a Committee of the House of Commons, when the Kirkcaldy and District Railway Bill was under consideration, that the rates between the places named had not been, and would not be, advanced because of the erection of the Forth Bridge, he will take steps to induce the North British Company to revert to the rates formerly in force?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI have communicated with the Company upon the subject of the hon. Member's question, and the Manager informs me that the former rates were unduly low for the distance, and their continuance could not be justified. He adds that in the general revision the Company found it necessary to increase the rates to bring them into conformity with other rates for similar distances. I have no power of further interference.
§ MR. BARRY (Wexford, S.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the North British Railway Company have also advanced their rates for general merchandise from 30 to 60 per cent., and have, in spite of repeated promises, refused to revert to the old rates?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI must ask for notice of that question.