§ MR. W. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, (1) whether he is aware of the fact that the average railway tariffs for goods and passengers in Ireland are almost the highest in existence, and cause great dissatisfaction to the Irish commercial, agricultural, and travelling public; and, (2) whether the Government will appoint a Select Committee to examine into and report upon the feasibility and necessity of the State acquiring the Irish railways?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am not aware that the average railway tariffs in Ireland are the highest in existence, but I am well aware that in Ireland, as in England, frequent complaints are heard in the matter from the commercial, agricultural, and travelling public. The second paragraph of the Question opens up a very large question, which, I believe, has been inquired into by more than one Royal Commission. I am not prepared at present to recommend the appointment of a Select Committee to examine into and report upon the feasibility and necessity of the acquisition of Irish railways by the State.