§ 17. Mr. NEVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is going to bring in a Bill to carry out the recommendation submitted to him by a conference of Members of this House with regard to the restriction of the rate of freights to be charged for the coastwise carriage of coal within the United Kingdom; and, if so, whether he can say when such Bill is likely to be introduced?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Pretyman)The recommendations to which my hon. Friend refers have been very carefully considered, but it is not proposed at present to introduce legislation for the purpose of regulating coastwise freights.
§ Mr. NEVILLEWill the right hon. Gentleman at least regulate the freight charges for interned steamers, so that the rate does not exceed the price paid by the Government for the commandeered coal steamers?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe freights for interned steamers are regulated by the general freightage rates for the country as a whole.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs not the Government themselves charging for these freights rates 200 to 300 per cent. higher than those prevailing before the War; and does the Government consider that it is setting a good example by charging these exorbitant rates for conveying coal from the North of England to London? [HON. MEMBERS: "NO answer."]