HC Deb 24 March 1914 vol 60 cc195-6
61. Mr. CASSEL

asked whether his attention has been called to the fact that the cost of transport in sending pianos from London to Bradford. Sheffield, or Wigan is more than the cost of sending similar pianos from Berlin or Hamburg to Bradford, Sheffield, or Wigan; that this is partly due to the preferential through rates given by the British railway companies to the German pianos from East Coast ports to their destination; and that an appeal to the Railway Commission is of no avail to remedy this grievance; and whether the Government will take any steps to remedy it?

Mr. BURNS

I have not received any recent complaint on this subject, but the rates on pianos from London to towns in the Midlands, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, were discussed at a meeting at the Board of Trade between representatives of the Musical Instrument Trades' Protection Association and the railway companies a few years ago, and certain reductions were then made. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the rates be has in mind, I will took into them.

62. Mr. CASSEL

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the freight charges for pianos on subsidised German steamship lines from Hamburg and Bremen to New Zealand and Australia are far lower than the charges on British lines from London to New Zealand and Australia, and that British steamship companies actually carry German pianos transhipped from Hamburg or Bremen via London to New Zealand or Australia at lower rates than they carry pianos manufactured in London to the same ports; and whether the Government can take any steps to remedy this?

Mr. BURNS

I understand that the facts are much as stated by the hon. and learned Member. The matter is one on which the Dominions Royal Commission have taken evidence, and, pending the issue of their final report, I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Mr. CASSEL

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this hardship on London manufacturers of the freights from London to the Colonies being actually-higher for London articles than for articles made abroad is not a matter which deserves his consideration?

Mr. BURNS

The extent to which the hardship alleged prevails is now in course of investigation, and therefore, I cannot. in reply to his question, give the hon. and learned Member the answer that I am sure he would like me to give.