HC Deb 03 February 1902 vol 102 cc197-8
MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state at what time and place the Railway and Canal Commissioners will hold their inquiry into the question of the proposed increase of rates by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company on their goods traffic, including artificial manures and breadstuffs, in the districts in the South of Ireland to the stations on their line between Dublin and Cork. Whether the Irish Board of Agriculture will intervene to protect the interests of the traders and general public in the districts so threatened with increased rates, and if the cost of such inquiry will be borne by the Railway Company, or will any portion have to be borne by the several public bodies who have given notice to take action in the matter by being represented before the Commissioners. In the latter case can he state how the costs will be apportioned, or what the probable amount might be which an urban council would have to bear. And, whether he can state when the time for lodging objections before the Commissioners will expire.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The hon. Member's Question deals with the procedure of a legal tribunal as to which I have no means of information other than those open to the public. The Registrar to the Railway and Canal Commissioners has, however, been good enough to tell me, in answer to an in- quiry, that the Commissioners will sit at the Four Courts, Dublin, on Tuesday, the 18th instant, to hear the application of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company in the matter to which the hon. Member refers. He adds that the time for lodging objections expired on the 22nd January, and that among the objections received was one from the Department of Agriculture for Ireland. All objectors will receive formal notice of the place and date of hearing. Under Section 2 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1894, the Commissioners have no power to award costs on either side unless they are of opinion that the claim or defence has been frivolous and vexatious. I have no means of estimating the probable amount of the costs which may be incurred by any of the parties in this case.

MR. CULLINAN (Tipperary, S.)

May I ask whether, as it is not generally known by the persons interested that the period for lodging objections closes on January 22nd, the right hon. Gentleman will extend the time?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I have no power to do so.