§ MR T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether representations have been made to the Board of Trade regarding the treatment whiskey merchants in Belfast are subjected to in the matter of rates; is he aware that all articles of commerce classified alike to whiskey are not being charged by carrying companies at similar rates; and will he state what steps, if any, he intends to take, by legislation or otherwise, to secure for whiskey merchants equality of treatment for the conveyance of their goods with the traders in other commodities.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralYes, Sir, the Board of Trade have received a representation on this subject and entered into correspondence with two of the Irish Companies, and also with the Railway Association with reference to the matter. I shall be happy to show the hon. and learned Member the replies received from the companies. These replies are somewhat lengthy, but they give a reasonable explanation of the position. There does not appear to be any substance in the present complaint, inasmuch as whiskey does not compete 789 with such articles as hardware and linen, although they are included in the same class with it.