§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a pooling arrangement has been arrived at between the Midland Great Western Railway Company of Ireland and the Great Southern and Western Railway Company on their systems where traffic opposition prevails; whether live stock traffic is pooled; whether at Athlone, Clara, Athenry, Claremorris, or any other junctions where competition is to be met with by either company, both companies combine in their own interest to the detriment of the trading public; and, if so, will he take; steps to prevent this pooling?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)An arrangement such as that referred to does not require the sanction of the Board of Trade, and I have no information as to whether a pooling agreement has been arrived at by the companies mentioned. If, however, I am furnished with details of any case in which the interests of the public are injuriously affected I will cause enquiry to be made.