§ 48. Mr. HURDasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the directions of the Road-Stone Control Committee (War Office), dated 17th July, 1918, operate unfairly in the case of quarry-owners; whether the cost of maintaining wagons has increased by 250 per cent., approximately, since 1914; whether railway companies, by reason of their contract with the Government, are able to meet this increased cost of repair; and whether similar consideration should be given to quarry-owners, whose wagons are also at the service of the nation?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I understand that, under the directions to which my hon. Friend refers, the addition to the free-on-rail price of road materials to cover delivery at destination station in privately-owned wagons must not exceed the amount which would be charged by a railway company for such conveyance if the material were carried in railway-owned wagons. I am informed, however, that the increased cost of maintenance of privately-owned wagons is taken into consideration in fixing the maximum price of quarried material, and is, in fact, treated as part of the cost of production.
§ Mr. HURDAre we to understand that there is really no differentiation in the matter between the quarry owners and the railway companies?
§ Mr. FORSTERI did not say that. What I said was that the addition to the price to cover delivery must not exceed, in the case of privately-owned wagons, that which is properly chargeable in the case of railway wagons.
§ Mr. FORSTERIf the hon. Member has reason to think that the intention of the regulation is not carried out and gives me particulars I will inquire into it.