§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that the Railway Clearing House informed the Board of Trade in November last that effect would be given throughout Great Britain, on and from 1st January, 1910, to the recommendations of the Railway Conference in 1908, with a view to the modification of the owners' risk conditions in contracts for the conveyance of milk churns by rail, some, if not all, of the railway companies have failed to make any alteration in the form of such contracts; and, if so, whether the Board proposes to take any action in the matter?
Mr. BUXTONI believe it is the fact that the altered forms of agreement and consignment notes for "owners' risk" milk traffic have not yet been issued, but I am informed that they will be issued shortly. Meanwhile, I understand, that in practice claims for loss of or delay to milk since the beginning of the year would be dealt with as if the traffic had been consigned under the new conditions. If the hon. Member knows of any instances to the contrary and will furnish me with particulars I will have inquiry made.