§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the cost of carriage of a ton of eggs to London from Denmark is 24s., from Russia 22s., and from Galway 94s.; and, if so, whether, in view of the dissatisfaction regarding the charges of Irish Railways, he will recommend the appointment of a Departmental or Viceregal Commission to inquire into and report upon the subject.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverThe Department of Agriculture is inquiring into the accuracy of the fact alleged in the first part of the Question. The third annual Report of the Department which was recently presented to Parliament and will be in the hands of hon. Members in a few days, contains an interesting account of the steps taken by the Department with a view to the reduction of railway rates in cases where its intervention was sought. These steps were followed by successful results in a number of instances. The Department is at present engaged in collecting information in respect to charges for the carriage of Irish and Continental agricultural produce, and the question of the necessity for further inquiry, as suggested, can best be decided when these investigations have been completed.