§ MR. LAMBERTTo ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he will state what has been done during the past year by the Board in inducing railway companies to reduce rates on agricultural produce, and particularly whether any reductions of railway rates have been effected in conveying fruit, hops, and vegetables from the south-eastern districts to London.
(Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) Arrangements have for some time past been in operation by which the Board's inspectors institute inquiries, when opportunities offer, as to complaints made by agriculturists with regard to railway rates. Particulars as to the work thus done is published annually in the Report of our Intelligence Division. Communications have also been taking place during the past few months between my noble friend, the President of the Board, and the railway companies with regard to the improvement generally of the conditions governing the carriage of agricultural produce and facilities by rail. Full information as to these communications is contained in a Paper 1036 which was laid upon the Table on Friday last, and will, I hope, be issued in the course of the present week.