HC Deb 06 August 1894 vol 28 cc134-5
MR. FIELD

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the North Eastern Railway Company have informed the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland Company, that it was an error to state that they had expressed their willingness to receive applications for through bookings of live stock from the interior of Ireland, and that the North Eastern Company have only agreed to through bookings from certain Irish ports to York; and whether, as the Irish Companies are willing and anxious to facilitate through bookings, he will take the necessary steps to compel the North Eastern Company to comply with the law.

MR. BRYCE

No, Sir. I am not aware that the North Eastern Railway Company have taken the action attributed to them. I must refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of June 26th, and also to the Railway Company's letter of the 12th of the same month, a copy of which was forwarded to him two days later. It does not so far appear that the North Eastern Railway Company are breaking the law. I believe they are awaiting the communication from the hon. Member which he has been asked to supply. In that letter the Company promised carefully to consider any statement of the practical inconvenience which the hon. Member wished to remove.

MR. FIELD

Has the right hon. Gentleman received the letter which I sent to him—a letter from one of the principal Railway Companies in Ireland, pointing out that the North Eastern Railway Company have definitely refused to take through bookings?

MR. BRYCE

I understand that they have not refused. They have said in a letter forwarded to the hon. Member that they would be glad to hear from him the practical inconveniences which he suffers, and that they will then endeavour to meet him. I believe that they are still awaiting his reply.

MR. FIELD

As a matter of fact, did I not send the right hon. Gentleman a letter from the Midland and Great Western Company of Ireland pointing out these inconveniences?

MR. BRYCE

I do not think that that is inconsistent with the answer I have given. I said the North Eastern were still waiting to hear from the hon. Member.

MR. FIELD

Am I to understand that the statement by a great Railway Company of the refusal of the North Eastern to give facilities for through bookings is not sufficient to satisfy the right hon. Gentleman that something ought to be done in the matter?

MR. BRYCE

The answer I gave is not inconsistent with the view contained in the letter. I can only repeat the expression of my hope that the hon. Member will put himself into communication with the Company. I have no right to interfere otherwise than for purposes of conciliation. There is no evidence that the law has been broken.

MR. FIELD

Will the right hon. Gentleman grant an inquiry into the facts in his room with a view to conciliation? I understand it is for the Company to furnish facilities.

[No answer was given.]