§ MR. M'GOVERNI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade is he aware that American bacon is carried from Liverpool to Enniskillen at the rate of 15s. whilst the carriage of Irish bacon from Enniskillen to Liverpool is 22s. 6d. per ton; that fresh meat is carried from Liverpool to Belfast at 15s. per ton, whilst the charge for dead fowl from Enniskillen to Liverpool is 55s. per ton; that flour is carried from New York to Liverpool at 7s. 6d. per ton, whilst the charge from Liverpool to Belfast is 14s. 2d. per ton, and the charge of oats or grain from Enniskillen to Belfast is 13s. 3d. per ton; and will the Government take steps to amend the law to enable it to compel railway and steamship companies to carry English and Irish produce at the same rates as foreign produce.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OK TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)I have no precise information as to the rates specified, but am making inquiry in regard to the rates for bacon between Liverpool and Enniskillen. So far as I am aware, the rate on flour carried between Liverpool and Belfast is 3s. to 5s. per ton, according to quantity,
† See (4) Debates, cvii, 432.1548
§ and not 14s. 2d., as stated by the hon. Member. The remainder of the rates referred to do not appear to be comparable inter se. As to the last part of the hon. Member's Question, I must again refer him to the existing provisions of the Railway and Canal Traffic Acts, which already provide a remedy against undue preference.