HC Deb 14 August 1913 vol 56 cc2641-2
43. Mr. FLAVIN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the feeling of the traders and others in all parts of Ireland against the proposed increase in freight charges for merchandise and otherwise; will he state the net increased wages paid to railway men in Ireland and the net increased revenue received by the railway companies under the additional charges for week-end and excursion tickets; and will he say whether, in view of the opinion of the Irish people, his Department has taken any action in connection with the proposed increase in the traffic rates?

Mr. BUXTON

As regards the general position I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to a question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for West Belfast on the 7th August, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I am not in a position to furnish the figures asked for.

Mr. CRUMLEY

During the recess, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the dislocation of through traffic from Ireland to Great Britain, and compel the railway companies to fall back upon the former practice of through traffic?

Mr. BUXTON

I am afraid I have no such power as that. The matter would be taken into account by the Railway and Canal Commissioners.

Mr. FLAVIN

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the nominal increase in the wages paid by the railways in Ireland to their servants under the agreement of last year, and is he aware that the increased charges made by Irish railways for excursion and week-end tickets is much more than the increases which the servants of the companies have received?

Mr. BUXTON

My hon. Friend is aware that so far as the Act of last year is concerned it allowed the railway companies to increase their rates where they increased the wages of their servants. Ireland was excluded from that Act in consequence of the action of the Irish railways, therefore that point does not arise in connection with this matter.

Mr. FLAVIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many important towns in Ireland railway porters and servants are doing heavy laborious and continuous work for 8s., 9s., and 10s. a week?

Mr. BUXTON

I am aware of that. It is not affected by this, because of the fact that the Act of last year does not apply to Ireland. That was done with the assent of hon. Members coining from Ireland as well as the House generally.