§ 91. Mr. RAPERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that railway freight rates in the United Kingdom are the highest in the world, despite the fact that this country is non- mountainous and well supplied with coal and iron; and is this fact an incubus on the trade of the country and in effect a fiscal policy of protection in favour of the foreigner?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI believe that railway freight rates in this country are primâ facie higher than in most other countries, but there are various factors to be taken into account, such as the services tendered, the size of consignment, the length of haul, etc., which render an effective comparison very difficult.
§ Mr. RAPERIs it not correct that the railway freight rates of the United Kingdom are the highest in the world?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt may be correct—I do not dispute it, on the face of it—but the conditions are different in different parts of the world."