§ MR. WHITEHEAD (Essex, S.E.)To ask the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases during the five years expiring on 31st December, 1907. the Board of Trade has appointed arbitrators under the Provisional Order Confirmation Acts of railway companies (and under which section and sub-sections) to decide disputes between railway companies and traders; and whether the 1090 Board of Trade has in all cases appointed the Railway Commissioners to act as such arbitrators.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) 196 such appointments were made in the five years 1903 to 1907. Of these, one appointment was made under Section 6 of the Schedules to the Acts (Dentention of traders' wagons), one under Section 2 (b) (Reduction of rate where trucks are provided by a trader), and one under Section 5 (i.) (Services at private sidings) and 7 (Charges for use of special structural accommodation). The remainder were made under Section 5 (iv.) (Occupation of accommodation beyond a period reasonably necessary for the delivery of traffic); and, although the actual number of appointments was 193, many of the disputes related to accommodation at the same town, different traders being concerned. The total number of towns involved was twelve. In all cases the Railway and Canal Commission was appointed arbitrator.