§ 60. Captain BOWYERasked the Minster of Transport whether he has received from the National Federation of Fruit and Potato Traders' Association a resolution to the effect that where two or more assignments of produce are despatched on the same day from one station by different senders to one consignee the consignments should be aggregated and charged at the lowest rate applicable to the total quantity; and whether he will state whether he is prepared to adopt this scheme?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Mr. Neal)The Resolution referred to has been received and transmitted to the railway companies. It is always open to the senders to aggregate their produce and hand it to the railway companies as one consignment, provided that it is all 1679 brought into the sending station at the same time, that it is forwarded to one consignee, and that the charges are paid by one person.
§ 61. Captain BOWYERasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the necessity of ensuring a constant and full supply of fresh fruit and vegetables to the public, he will take steps to inaugurate at scheduled times an express goods train service for perishable foodstuffs to all the markets in the United Kingdom; whether he is aware of the stimulus this would have on the production of food of this type in this country; and whether, in the event of this scheme being adopted, he will make arrangements for empties, necessary for the carriage of foodstuffs, to be taken also on this express goods service?
§ Mr. NEALI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the question put by the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Ely on the 23rd February.