§ MR. W. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the, charges on the, Great Southern and Western of Ireland 559 Railway from Tullow to Dublin ordinary rate is 7s. 10d. per ton, and special 6s. 9d. for six tons and upwards; and Carlow, which is four miles further, has a lower rate, viz.: 7s. 6d. per ton ordinary, and 5s. 9d. per ton special for six tons and upwards; whether, as the line from Baltinglass to Tullow is guaranteed, can the ratepayers be compelled to pay their guarantee to subsidise a preferential rate from Carlow; whether he is aware that when the Baltinglass and Tullow line was opened the corn merchants were allowed to forward empty sacks free of charge to be loaded, but now they are charged 6s. 8d. per ton as returned empties; whether he is aware that on the Dublin, Waterford, and Wexford line the rate is 3s. per ton for six tons and upwards from New Ross, which is 103 miles from Dublin, and from Wexford, which is 93 miles from Dublin; whilst Tullow, which is only 54 miles from Dublin, is charged 6s. 9d. per ton for six tons and upwards; and whether the Board of Trade or the Railway Commissioners can take any action to equalize such charges, and prevent preferential rates?
§ MR. RITCHIEMy attention has not been directed to all the facts recited in the Question. The hon. Member will find a statement of the law relating to undue preference in cases of unequal tolls, rates and charges, in Section 27 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, and he will see that the Railway Commissioners are entrusted with jurisdiction.
§ MR. W. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the letter from the Board to the Secretary of the Irish Cattle Traders' and Stockowners' Association, stating that the Board are not in a position to advise whether the provisions of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, would apply to traffic conveyed from the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) to Scotland, whether the Board of Trade are in a position to so advise; and whether the Board of Trade are the legally constituted authority for the carrying out of the provisions of the said Act?
§ MR. RITCHIEThe question raised by the hon. Member is one of the interpretation of an Act of Parliament, and is of a distinctly legal nature, as to which 560 the Board of Trade are not in a position to advise. Under the Act referred to, the Board have certain powers, but these are of a strictly limited nature.