§ Mr. A. HERBERTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether the present conditions of transport give a substantial preference to the foreign producer of fruit and vegetables; and is he prepared to take action with the railway companies to reduce them?
§ Mr. NEALIt is understood that in certain instances special rates charged by the railway companies for traffic from the ports are in force, and that these are held by them to be justified by economic circumstances. I would remind the hon. Member that the Minister has no jurisdiction over railway rates and I would refer him to the provisions of the Railways Act, 1921, which enables any trader desiring a reduction of an existing rate, and failing to obtain satisfaction from the company, to appeal to the Rates Tribunal.