§ 65. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Prime Minister whether, taking into consideration that. the railway companies are now paying considerably less for coal and wages than they were in August, 1920, and that they have placed to depreciation and reserve funds a sum of £109,300,000 since December, 1913, the Government will take steps to secure from the railway companies a, large contribution, by way of a reduction in railway rates, towards the relief of the depressed condition of trade and agriculture?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have been asked to reply. The Railways Act, 1921, established the Railway Rates Tribunal as the determining authority in respect of railway charges, and ample opportunities are afforded by that Act of securing such reduction in railway charges as the Tribunal deem just. I would remind the hon. Member that, under Sections 60 and 78 of the Act, the initiative in the matter rests with the traders.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKMay I ask whether, seeing that the railways have, apparently, done very well out of the War, it should not be the duty of the Government to make them contribute much more largely than they are at present prepared to do to the restoration of trade and agriculture in this country?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is the question on the Paper over again.