§ Mr. ROYDSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the increased rates on goods traffic which the railway companies intend to put into operation on 1st July next will be shown on that date in the rate books which they are required by Act of Parliament to keep for public inspection; and whether the Board of Trade will adopt measures for ensuring that all such books containing the rates now charged on goods traffic shall be retained by the railway companies for public inspection after 1st July next at the various places at which they are kept?
Mr. BUXTONRailway companies are required by law to show in the rate books at their stations all the rates in force for the time being. The new rates will no doubt, as a rule, be entered in the existing rate books and it should be possible to compare them with the present rates, but I have no power to require that this shall be so.