§ MR. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether any complaints have been made to the Railway Commissioners on the subject of overcharges on the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland system; have the Commissioners power to revise the scale of freights and charges made by the company; and, if so, have they at any time exercised that power; and, will he grant a general Inquiry into the management of this line with a view to overhauling and reducing the excessive rates both for passengers and goods at present in force on it?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) PrestonThe Board of Trade are not aware that any complaints of overcharge have been made to the Railway Commissioners. The latter have no jurisdiction to revise generally the scale of freights and charges made by the company, nor have the Board of Trade power to order such an Inquiry as that suggested. If the hon. Member will be good enough to refer to the Railway and Canal Traffic Acts, 1888 and 1894, he will no doubt acquire the information he desires as to the duties intrusted to the Board of Trade and the Railway Commission respectively as regards such matters.