§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state if the Board of Agriculture for Ireland would be prepared to appoint a Departmental Commission to report upon the railway rates at present charged in Ireland, their effect upon the agriculture, trade, and industry of the country, and the steps necessary for amelioration of the present position. On 8th April, 1902†, you informed Mr. Field (Dublin, St. Patrick) that "while far from saying that such an inquiry would not be useful, you were not at present prepared to recommend it."
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM, DOVER)The Department of Agriculture is constantly investigating questions affecting railway transit and rates and obtaining information which would prove of utility should it ever be decided to appoint a Committee of Inquiry. The Department does not think, however, that the time has yet arrived for such an inquiry.