§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to introduce, next Session, a Bill in pursuance of the Report of the Select Committee on Railway Rates; and, if so, whether be will have regard to the widely-expressed opinion of agriculturists that an appeal should be given against all unreasonable or excessive rates and charges, and not merely in the ease of rates and charges which exceed those made by the Railway Companies in 1892; and whether he will also, in any such legislation, provide a cheap and prompt procedure for deciding cases of preferential rates on foreign produce?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideIt will be my duty to introduce a Bill next Session based on the Report of the Select Committee; but it would be very inconvenient, even if it were possible, to state its provisions, and their bearing on the questions to which my hon. Friend refers, before its introduction.
§ MR. CHANNINGDo I understand my right hon. Friend to promise full consideration to the point raised in the question as well as to the recommendations of the Report?
§ MR. MUNDELLAAll representations made to me on the question of railway rates will receive full consideration, and, therefore, my promise covers every representation.
§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us anything with regard to legislation on preferential rates?
§ MR. MUNDELLANo, Sir; I can say nothing as to the Bills of next Session. There is legislation as to this matter in the Act of 1888.