§ COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if in Ireland his Department take the initiative in obliging railway companies to run trains, or to meet trains on other lines, so as to convenience the public; also, if the Board of Trade in Ireland in cross-channel traffic takes the initiative in keeping down fares and rates; or if, on the other hand, the Board of Trade expects that on all or on most occasions the newly-formed public bodies 510 in Ireland should take the initiative and should appeal against inconvenient fixtures or high rates.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe question of the refusal of due facilities is one for the Railway Commissioners and not for the Board of Trade. The maximum fares and rates chargeable by the Irish railway companies having been determined by Parliament, any excess of charge over those maxima can be resisted in an ordinary court of law. I would, however, refer the hon. and gallant Member to Section 31 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888. The Board of Trade would always be glad to act on any representations made under that section. The hon. and gallant Member is also probably aware of the powers possessed by the Irish Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in connection with matters of this description.