§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, under the Act amalgamating the Waterford and Limerick Railway with the Great Southern and Western Railway Company, the latter were bound to give facilities to the public equal to those enjoyed by them previous to the amalgamation, and that, since the amalgamation, the rate per ton for tea from London to Rathkeale, viâ Waterford, has been raised from 44s. 10d. per ton to 53s. 4d. per ton, or 8s. 6d. per ton more; and whether he will take steps to see that the terms of the Act in this respect are carried out.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe Act provides that the actual rates charged on 30th June, 1900, shall not be increased without the consent of the Railway and Canal Commissioners. The Department are not aware of any instance, in which this provision has been contravened.
§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSYWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire if the facts stated in the Question are not correct?
§ MR. WALTER LONGCertainly but if they are it seems to me that the people aggrieved have the power of appeal open to them. If they prefer, however, to open communications through the Government I will consider it.