§ Mr. J. H. THOMASasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his Department have urged the railway companies to afford special treatment to agriculture by immediately reducing all rates affecting agriculture, as suggested in the interim Report issued by the agricultural tribunal?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have addressed no representation to the railway companies that they should accord special treatment to any particular interests, but I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the announcement made on the 12th instant in regard to the recommendations of the agricultural tribunal, which included an intimation of the Government's view that 1903W the railway companies are in a position to reduce charges, but that the remedy lies in the hands of the industry itself, which can make application to the Railway Rates Tribunal established by Parliament for determining railway charges. I understand that the railway companies are meeting agricultural interests this week.