§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the fact that the railway and shipping companies meet in conference to determine rates, when preferential rates for foreign produce are thus arranged, and seeing that the land mileage rate upon foreign consignments will not be disclosed to consignors of native produce on those lines, whether he will cause inquiry to be made, and publish the facts and figures regarding the rates at present in force for foreign and native produce from some of the principal seaports in England.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir, I am not prepared to institute such a general inquiry as that which the hon. Member would appear to desire. If any instance of undue preference is brought to my notice I will inquire into it.
§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)If the right hon. Gentleman will not give us the official figures, how can we bring, these charges before the Department?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me some instances of preferential charges, I will inquire into them.
§ MAJOR RASCHI gave the right hon. Gentleman one the other day.
§ MR. FIELDI have brought specific cases to the notice of the Board of Trade, and they have refused to inquire.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI presume that on inquiry it was found that there was no foundation for them.