HC Deb 24 February 1914 vol 58 cc1582-3
37. Mr. AUBREY HERBERT

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware of any cases where railway companies are charging more than the legal increased rates on milk; and if he can see his way to promising any reform which will lead to any reduction of this increased rate in view of the fact that the milk trade is already penalised by freight rates?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Burns)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am not aware of any cases in which the rates on milk exceed the legal maxima. Within those maxima railway companies are free to increase their rates, subject to the obligation to justify the increase, if challenged, before the Railway and Canal Commission. As I informed the hon. Member for the Lewes Division yesterday, the railway companies, alter conference with representatives of the milk traders, have issued a modified scale of charges to come into force next month.

Mr. HERBERT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that where the extra expense amounts to a fraction of a penny, that fraction is swollen into a penny in the increased rates?

Mr. BURNS

That particular aspect of the question is being considered by the authorities concerned.

Mr. PETO

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposed modified scale of charges is in many cases four times that which is justified by the railway company's expenditure?

Mr. BURNS

That question, too, is being inquired into.