§ 21. Mr. LOFTUSasked the Minister of Transport if he will now make representations to the railway companies to-abolish the prepayment of carriage on fish, which was imposed by arrangement as a War-time measure only?
Mr. STANLEYThe standard terms and conditions on which merchandise is carried on the railways, which were settled by the Railway Rates Tribunal under the provisions of the Railways Act, 1921, provide that in respect of the carriage of perishable merchandise by passenger train or similar service, the Company's charges for carriage shall be payable in advance. I have no jurisdiction in the matter, but it is open to any representative body of traders concerned to apply to the tribunal for an amendment of these conditions.
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEDoes the Minister realise the very great hardship that this requirement causes to those who are carrying on the industry in the face of strenuous competition?