§ MR. COBBI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the East and West Junction, and Stratford on Avon, Towcester, and Midland Junction Railways still allege that the rate of 1d. per gallon for milk charged from Kineton to Euston, previous to 31st December, 1892, was too low through a mistake of the stationmaster, and ought to have been the increased rate which has since been charged; whether he is aware that, up to the end of 1892, the rate of 1d. had been charged for a long period, and that the stationmaster at Kineton made no mistake, but charged the Clearing House Scale according to the orders which were given to him; whether he is aware that other Railway Companies carry milk at 1d. rate for much greater distances than from Kineton to Euston; and whether he will at once oblige the Company to return to the former rate, and to refund the overcharge since the end of 1892?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA, Sheffield, Brightside)The answer to the first paragraph of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. The Company state that the rate of 1d. had been charged for about nine months previous to 31st December last, contrary to the orders issued to the stationmaster. I believe there is no doubt that other Railway Companies carry milk at 1d. rate for greater distances than from Kineton to Euston. I have no power to compel this Company to revert to the former rate or to refund the alleged overcharge.