§ MR. JAMES DALY (Monaghan, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the traders in Ballybay have been charged increased rates on carriage of goods by the Great Northern Railway, Ireland; that Mr. Robertson, Traffic Manager, Great Northern Railway, had an interview with the merchants of that town, and admitted the carriage of merchandise was too high, and promised a reduction, but that after Mr. Robertson's departure from Ballybay an increase in railway rates took place to that town instead of a reduction; and, whether he will cause an Inquiry to be made into the rates charged by the Great Northern Railway Company to the traders of Ballybay?
§ MR. RITCHIEI am informed that since January, 1893, the Great Northern of Ireland have reduced the rates for wheat, barley, oats, indian corn, meal, bran, pollard, &c., between Ballybay and Belfast, Dundalk and Newry, from which places this traffic is received. The rates for potatoes and packed manures have also been reduced. As regards butter and eggs from Ballybay Market to England and Scotland the rates remain the same as in 1892. I have no power to order an Inquiry of the kind suggested by the hon. Member, but he is no doubt acquainted with the provisions of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1894.