Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the railway companies charge three times as much for carrying a churn containing cream as for an identical churn containing milk; and whether, in view of the handicap under which British farmers have laboured since the prohibition of the use of preservatives, in the face of foreign competition, he will inquire into the question of these charges?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONI am aware that railway rates for the carriage of cream are higher than those charged for the carriage of milk, and I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that it is provided in the Railways Act, 1921, that in determining the classification of merchandise for conveyance by rail regard shall be had among other considerations to the value of the merchandise. The standard rates for the carriage of both these commodities have been fixed by the Railway Rates Tribunal, and traders are entitled to apply to the Tribunal to modify such charges.