§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has 799 consulted with the Department of Agriculture in Ireland respecting the exercise of powers given them regarding transit; whether they have received specific complaints of delay and damage to live stock through the Secretary of the Irish Cattle Traders and Stock-owners Association; and whether any attempt will be made to compel a minimum rate of speed in the carriage of live stock; whether he is aware that the companies are refusing to carry live stock unless a consignor signs a contract note relieving the companies of liability under the Carriers' Act; and, whether they are empowered to withhold a receipt for freight money paid by consignors.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am unable at present to add anything to the replies I have already made to the hon. Member's Questions on this subject, except to point out that it is clearly impossible to express an opinion upon the purely legal point put to me in the last paragraph of the Question.