§ MR. W. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Great Northern Railway of Ireland have a tariff of preferential rates to Belfast for excursions and other traffic, and that they give greater facilities to Belfast than to Dublin or Drogheda for live stock traffic; and, whether he will use his influence to obtain through rates to Scotland viâ Drogheda from Navan, Kells, and other places requiring such accommodation?
§ MR. RITCHIEI have communicated with the railway company on the subject of the hon. Member's Question, and they inform me that they have no preferential rates to Belfast for excursion traffic; also that equal facilities under like conditions are given for the conveyance of live stock traffic to Belfast, Dublin, and Drogheda. If the hon. Member will refer to the letter addressed to him by the Board of Trade on the 11th instant, he will find that information as to the procedure to be adopted on an application for through rates is given him. It would be useless for me to make a general appeal to the company to give such rates.
§ MR. W. FIELDIf I place the information in the right hon. Gentleman's hands would he give me assistance to obtain fair play?
§ MR. RITCHIEIf the hon. Member will make complaint to the Board of Trade alleging that preferential rates are given, or through rates are not given, it will be the duty of the Board of Trade to approach the railway companies with a view to endeavouring to bring about 1166 an amicable arrangement. If no arrangement can be brought about, the hon. Member and his friends will have to find recourse to the Railway Commissioners.
§ MR. J. DALYI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that on Easter Monday last an excursion——
§ *MR. SPEAKERObviously the hon. Member must give notice of that Question.
§ MR. J. DALYI put down the Question and it was ruled out of order at the Table. [Laughter.]