§ SIR JAMES WHITEHEAD (Leicester)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the reduced rates at owners' risk, set out by the Great Northern and other Railway Companies in the supplementary lists recently issued, are from 7½ to 10 per cent. in excess of the reduced rates at owners' risk contained in the Railway Clearing House Classification Book prior to 1st January; and whether there are any provisions in the Railway Rates and Charges Confirmation Acts, 1891 and 1892, which necessitated the alteration?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideI have received a communication from the General Manager of the Great Northern Railway which fully answers the question of my hon. Friend, which I think I ought to read to the House— 659
The Railway Companies' Association, King's Cross Station, London, N.,March 18.Sir,—With reference to your letter of the 17th inst., calling my attention to Sir James White-head's question, I have to inform you that Sir James Whitehead's question does not apply to the present position, but to a supplementary list which is cancelled by the undertaking recently given to the President.The allowances made by the companies in 1892, in consideration of owners' risk, &c., will be substantially re-established, they being included in the undertaking above referred to.The work is being pressed forward as quickly as possible, and the reduced rates will be put into operation without delay.It will be necessary to modify many millions of rates, and time must be afforded to complete the work.I am, &c.,H. OAKLEY.Sir Courtenay Boyle, K.C.B., Railway Department, Board of Trade, S.W.I hope hon. Members will be patient with the Railway Companies and will give them time to deal with matters.