§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has boon directed to the fact that the railway companies are increasing their charges for the carriage of coal; and whether, in view of the fact that cheap coal is the foundation of British prosperity, ho contemplates taking any action in the matter, whether by way of seeking further powers for the control of railway rates or otherwise.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGENotice of the intention of the railway companies of Great Britain to alter the method of calculating the weight of coal carried by them has boon given to the Board of Trade. This alteration will be equivalent to an increase in the rates for conveyance, and it will therefore, under the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1894, lie upon the companies to prove, if complaint is made, that the increase is reasonable. If any complaints are received in the Board of Trade from traders, my hon. friend may depend upon it that they will be fully investigated. The matter is one with which the Railway and Canal Commissioners have full power to deal.