§ MR. CHARLES DEVLINI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that it costs as much to get an article from Galway to Dublin as it does to bring the same from America; and, if so, can he take any steps in the matter.
§ MR. WYNDHAMAt the request of my right hon. friend I will reply to this and the next Question on the Paper. The Department of Agriculture is constantly investigating representations affecting railway transit and railway rates, and if specific instances of unfair or unreasonable charges by Irish carrying companies are furnished to the Department inquiries will forthwith be made.
§ The following was the second Question referred to.
§ MR. CHARLES DEVLINTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Irish farmer, particularly in the West of Ireland, is placed at a disadvantage with respect to foreign competition on account of the charges for the carriage of goods and agricultural products levied by Irish railways; and that the passenger fares are nearly double those charged in other countries; and, if so, whether he intends taking steps in the direction of putting an end to such charges.