§ 52. Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked whether, in view of the feeling expressed by farmers and traders throughout the country during and since the passage through Parliament of the Railways (No. 2) Bill of last Session, owing not merely to the prospective additional burden to be thrown upon them thereby, but also to the omission therefrom of all the provisions of the former Government Bill relating to owners' risk rates and other long standing and admitted grievances of such consignors, the Government will this Session introduce and carry through Parliament a one-clause Bill relating to owners' risk rates, and so afford to them some quid pro quo for the far-reaching benefits conferred by the above Act upon the railway companies for which they have to pay?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know whether it will be possible to deal with the matters referred to this Session, but my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has the subject under consideration.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIf there was not time in the last overcrowded Session to deal with this and others of the traders' grievances in the Railways Bill, why, now that the same pressure does not exist, cannot a few hours be devoted to this discussion?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe do not want to add unnecesarily, or except so far as is absolutely necessary, to the labours of the Session. I have not closed the door to consideration of the matter.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some private Railway Bills are before the House in which there are Clauses to increase the owners' risks?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat has not been brought to my notice.