§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the appointment by the Board of Agriculture of a Departmental Committee of Inquiry into the Railway Rates of Great Britain, he will take steps for the appointment of a similar Committee by the Department of Agriculture for Ireland.
§ MR. WYNDHAMMy right hon. friend the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries has appointed a Departmental Committee to inquire as to the rates charged by railway companies in Great Britain in respect of the carriage of foreign and colonial farm, dairy, and market garden produce from the ports of shipment or of arrival, to the principal urban centres. For some time past the Irish Department of Agriculture has been collecting information affecting rates on agricultural produce and other commodities in and from Ireland. When this inquiry is complete the Department will be in a better position to consider whether a public investigation of a more general character could be usefully undertaken. The information to be obtained by the Committee appointed by the Board of Agriculture will be of value for Irish purposes also.
§ MR. FIELDBut is it intended to take evidence from Irish people who are interested? What is to be the form of the inquiry?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThat Question had better be addressed to the representative of the Board of Agriculture in this House.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThat depends on the result of the inquiry now being pursued.