§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that a package of butter, weighing lewt. Oqr. 6lbs, gross, sent on 8th June from Limerick to Ramsbottom, via Holyhead, by passenger train, paying the higher goods rate to ensure (puck delivery, was not delivered until 7 p. m. on the 10th, and then in bad condition; and, if so, will he cause inquiries to be made as to why the railway companies are allowed to exact such rates on Irish goods and at the same time to deliver as slowly as if the stuff went per goods train.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOAED OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI have communicated with the Great Southern and Western Railway Company on the subject of the hon. Member's Question, and have received a reply from which it would appear that the goods referred to sustained no delay whilst in their hands. The company are making inquiry of the English railway companies concerned, and promise a further reply. When I receive it I will inform the hon. Member of its contents.