§ 78. Mr. M. STEVENSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will look at the records of the last revision of railway charges, 1890–92, and have statistical tables and information, similar to the tables and statistical information then found requisite, forthwith prepared with figures for the year 1913, and so enable the railway companies and the traders the more accurately to formulate their proposals when assisting in the fixing of the standard rates and the other charges provided for in The Railways Act, 1921; and, as the conveyance by railway is the main factor to provide for, will he, when publishing receipts per ton-mile, first of all delete from those receipts all expenditure of the railway companies upon terminals, both station and service, cartage, warehousing, docks, harbour, steamship, and every other expenditure not directly incurred in the cost. of conveying merchandise by railway, so that the receipt of the railway companies from their only monopoly, service of conveyance by railway, may become available to traders before the revision and to the Railway Rates Tribunal during the revision?
§ Mr. NEALAs I have already indicated in answer to a previous question, the statutory powers vested in the Minister are being exercised. In the same answer I also explained the scope of the information now being compiled, and I have no doubt that the Rates Tribunal will consider the necessity for further information, including that referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. STEVENSDoes not my hon. Friend see from the question that the information is required before the Rating Tribunal makes its inquiry? All that is asked for from his Statistical Department is the same information which the railway companies had prepared for themselves at the last revision of rates.
§ Mr. STEVENSCan we have that information?