§ MR. EDWARD MITCHELL (Fermanagh, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his 1315 attention has been called to a statement made by His Honour Judge Adams, at the recent Limerick quarter sessions, when, at the hearing of some railway cases, his Honour said that no good or prosperity could ever come to Ireland until the whole question of railway rates was considered and re-adjusted in the interest of public requirements, and that Ireland could never be a prosperous country until this was done; and, if so, will he take steps to bring about fair and reasonable railway rates for the benefit of farmers, traders, and others.
§ MR. WYNDHAMAt the request of my right hon. friend I will reply to this Question. 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.