HC Deb 02 December 1908 vol 197 cc1453-4
MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the case connected with the fish trade of Aberdeen, where a wagon load of fish of about four tons, instead of being despatched when loaded by the Caledonian Railway Company to Glasgow, was shunted to a siding with empty wagons, resulting in a serious loss to the owner of the fish; if he is aware that the railway company disclaim any liability for the loss incurred; and if he will consider the desirability, in view of the frequency of such cases, of introducing next session a Bill dealing with owners' risk notes on the lines of the following Bills of private Members: Railway (Contracts), 1906, Railway Contracts, 1907, Railway and Canal Traffic Bill, 1908, one of which passed its Second Reading in this House.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. CHURCHILL,) Dundee

The Board of Trade have invited the observations of the railway company with regard to the particular consignment referred to, and have received a reply of which I am forwarding my hon. friend a copy. The question of the conditions under which traffic is carried at owners' risk is one that has been receiving the careful consideration of the Board, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

MR. PIRIE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor in office three years ago called a meeting of chambers of commerce and traders of the country to discuss the whole question? Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of legislation for next year?

MR. CHURCHILL

I can say nothing as to the work of next year.

MR. PIRIE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a non-party question, and that the Bill which passed its Second Reading was introduced by an hon. Gentleman opposite?

MR. CHURCHILL

was understood to reply that he was aware of that fact.