HC Deb 04 August 1913 vol 56 cc1027-8
11. Mr. DELANY

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what assistance the Department is prepared to give farmers and traders, whose business is injuriously affected by the recent rise in the railway rates on the carriage of farm produce, in appealing to the Railway and Canal Commissioners against the imposition of the new rates?

Mr. GULLAND (Lord of the Treasury)

Complaints that the increased rates are unreasonable must first be made to and considered by the Board of Trade under Section 31 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, and if the Board are unable to effect a settlement the complaints may be brought for determination before the Railway and Canal Commissioners. The Department are empowered to appear as complainant on behalf of persons aggrieved in reference to matters which the Railway and Canal Commissioners have jurisdiction to hear and determine and which relate to agriculture or other rural industry. The Department are prepared to consider representations from aggrieved persons with a view to the exercise of this power in suitable cases.

13. Mr. W. A. REDMOND

asked whether the English and Irish railway clearing houses apply the new regulations concerning the transit of Irish butter and eggs into this country to foreign produce as well; and, if not, what explanation is offered for enforcing the regulations in the Irish and not in the foreign case, to the detriment of the former?

Mr. ROBERTSON

As my hon. Friend has been informed, in reply to previous questions which he has asked on this subject, the railway clearing house stated that they hoped to arrange for the application of the new addressing regulations to Continental traffic. I have again called their attention to the matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I receive a definite reply.

Mr. REDMOND

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is now over three months since the promise was made by the railway companies to consider this question and that nothing has been done up to this?

Mr. ROBERTSON

I do not think that it is quite so long, but I am aware that there has been some delay. We have communicated with the railway clearing house, and hope that the matter will soon be settled.