MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the possibility of the Railway Amalgamation Bill now before Parliament, which would establish a railway monopoly over nearly three-fourths of the entire area of Ireland, becoming law, he can say whether the Government intend, 1340 and if so when, to create some tribunal, cheap and easy of access, in Ireland, other than the existing Railway and Canal Commissioners, to which Irish traders and passengers can appeal in causes of complaint in the matter of railway rates, fares, and facilities against railway companies; whether he can state what powers (if any) the Irish Department of Agriculture have to deal with such railway questions; and whether it is proposed to give to that Department the powers now possessed by the Railway and Canal Commissioners to deal with them, or in what other way the Government propose to meet the necessities of the case.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe answer to the first and third paragraphs of the question is that the passing of the Bill referred to by the hon. Gentleman will be accompanied by powers obviating the necessity for creating a tribunal dealing with the question as between the railway company and the public. The Department of Agriculture has power to appear on behalf of aggrieved persons before the Railway Commissioners, and to pay the cost out of their funds.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am afraid the hon. Member must give notice of that question. I have supplied all the information I have.