§ 78. Sir R. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he was consulted officially before the Atlantic shipping combine made their recent increase in passenger fares and in freights; and has he any information to show that these increases were justified.
§ Sir R. HORNEThe Board of Trade have no power to regulate passenger fares or freights, and they have no statutory authority to investigate whether rates are justified. Accordingly it was not necessary to consult the Board of Trade, and they were not consulted or informed of the reasons for the recent increase in Atlantic rates. It would seem not unlikely that the great and pressing demand for accommodation on Atlantic liners, combined with increases in working expenses, have had the ordinary economic results of increasing the cost of the supply.
§ Sir R. COOPERIn view of the ever-increasing cost of living, can the right hon. Gentleman not consider the desirability and advantage of taking powers to deal with these matters?
§ Sir R. HORNETo take control of shipping freights is a very large matter.