§ 60. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the opinion recently expressed by the chairman of the Great Eastern Railway Company, at the half-yearly meeting of its shareholders, to the effect that it was unwise for railway companies to impose upon agricultural produce the additional 4 per cent, levied as from last July upon other merchandise; and, if so, whether, in view of the deterrent effect upon agricultural enterprise throughout the country caused by the imposition 1593 of this fresh burden, the Board of Trade will put pressure upon the railway companies to reduce their rates upon such produce to their former level?
§ Mr. BURNSI have seen a report of the statement to which the hon. Member refers. The trade has its legal remedy if it regards the increase of rates as unreasonable, and I do not think the Board of Trade can usefully take any action in the direction suggested.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDo the right hon. Gentleman and his Department share the views expressed in this respect of the Noble Lord (Lord Claud Hamilton)?
§ Mr. BURNSIf I am asked personally, I think of all the commodities that railways carry the last one that they should charge excessive rates for is milk.
§ Earl WINTERTONWill the right hon. Gentleman give sympathetic attention to this matter, in view of the utterances of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ 61. Mr. SANDYSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now able to communicate the reply of the railway companies to the Milk Trades' Committee with reference to the increase in railway rates?
§ Mr. BURNSI must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Lewes Division.