§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is to be an increase of 4 per cent. 2251W in the charges for goods traffic on all British railways as from the 1st July next; and, if so, whether the 4 per cent. is an average increase and will be levied on all goods without discrimination?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe railway companies have issued a preliminary notice of their intention to increase the rates for the carriage of merchandise traffic, other than coal and coke, as from the date mentioned by the hon. Member, but their actual proposals have not yet been notified to the Board of Trade.