§ 82. Mr. GINNELLasked the President of the Board of Trade what the reason is for the discrimination against Irish fish by the new rule requiring the carriage to-be prepaid on fresh fish sent by passenger train from the Aran Isles, off the Galway coast, instead of being, as hitherto, and as still in the case of the Scottish fisheries, paid by the consignee on arrival, seeing that this new rule, besides increasing carelessness in handling 2385 and delay in delivering, adds the cost of an agent at Galway, 30 miles from the fishing station; and whether, in the interest of maintaining a supply of this food, the Board will revert to the practice before the Government took over control of the railways, including prompt return of the empty boxes, some thousands of which now in England the railway companies refuse to return?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Roberts)With regard to the first part of this question, I cannot at present do more than refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to the questions on the subject asked by the hon. Baronet the Member for North Wexford and the hon. Members for West Cork and West Kerry, but I would point out that the requirement referred to applies to England as well as to Ireland. With regard to the last part. I fear that some delay in the return of empty boxes is inevitable under present conditions, especially in the case of cross-Channel traffic.
§ Sir J. AINSWORTHIs it not the case that the order in Scotland requiring the carriage of fish by passenger train to be prepaid has been annulled, and, why is the same rule not applied to Ireland?
Mr. ROBERTSIn the opinion of the Department there were certain special circumstances which made it desirable that the Regulation should be annulled. The whole question is under consideration.
§ Mr. GINNELLHas the hon. Gentleman considered the special difficulties stated in the question, the nearest station, Galway, being 30 miles away from the fishing station?