§ SIR SEYMOUR KING (Hull, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade exercises any supervision over the ratebooks of the railway companies, with the view of verifying the fact that their rates are not in excess of the charges authorised in the schedules of the various Charges Confirmation Acts; and what, if any, steps it is in the power of the Board of Trade to take in cases where charges in excess of those authorised by the Acts appearing in the rate-books of railway companies are brought to its notice?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADENo, Sir; the Board of Trade have no jurisdiction over the rate-books of railway companies. Section 10 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, confers on the Railway and Canal Commissioners jurisdiction to hear and determine any question or dispute as to the legality of any rate charged or sought to be charged for the conveyance of merchandise. This, so far as I am aware, is the only appropriate procedure which can be followed in regard to the matter referred to in the honourable Member's Question.
§ MR. TOMLINSON (Preston)Has the right honourable Gentleman reason to believe that traders are satisfied with the present state of the law?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADEI have received various complaints through the medium of my honourable Friend to the effect that they are not satisfied. I have stated what the law is.