§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he has received complaints regarding the withdrawal of through rates for cattle by certain of the Irish railway companies; whether he is aware that the cost of sending a waggon-load of cattle from Londonderry to Carlisle has thus been increased from £4 4s. to £12; whether these companies and the shipping companies now insist upon consignors signing an owner's risk agreement before dispatch; and whether, in view of the increased burdens thus thrown upon the Irish cattle trade, the Department are taking any steps in regard to these matters?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLTwo complaints of the nature referred to have recently been received and are being investigated. Through booking arrangements formerly available are apparently not now in operation on some routes where the twelve hours' detention following landing causes the animals to pass for the time being out of the custody of the carrying company. It is understood, however, that in certain instances the question of means of overcoming this difficulty is being considered by the shipping companies. The Department have not yet been able to ascertain whether the new circumstances have increased the cost of transit between Londonderry and Carlisle to the extent represented, but the whole matter, including the alleged enforcement of owner's risk agreements, is being looked into.