§ MR. STRACHEY (Somerset, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Great Western Railway Company have yet signified their intention of returning to their old milk rates pending further inquiry; and, if they have not done so, whether he will urge upon the company to follow the example of the other great companies who have for the present returned to their old milk rates, if the new rates are in excess of the old rates?
THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MTNDELI.A, (Sheffield, Brightside)The General Manager of the Great Western Railway Company states that although (in order to establish uniformity of charge) the milk rates have been slightly raised in some few instances, the general effect of the revision undertaken by the company is that in almost every case there is either a reduction or the rate does not exceed that in operation prior to the 1st January last. The company, he adds, will suffer a substantial loss of revenue from their milk traffic. I shall be willing to receive any specific complaints, and to call upon the company for an explanation.
§ SIR J. WHITEHEAD (Leicester)Arising out of the answer given by the right, hon. Gentleman, I would like 867 to ask him if he has observed that no promises to return to old rates have been made by any railway company without qualification or without reservation.
§ MR. MUNDELLAI hardly think that is so. On the whole revision, we are told in this case the rates will be considerably lower, and that statement is made without qualification.