Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYasked the Minister of Transport the names of the firms receiving subsidies for carrying by sea traffic usually carried by rail in pre-War days, and what is the amount paid to these firms for such subsidies during the last three months?
§ Sir E. GEDDESUnder the coastwise transport scheme more than a thousand traders have made claims for refund of the difference between the freight and charges (other than demurrage) actually paid for traffic sent coastwise and the amount of the railway rates and charges which would have been payable if the 63W traffic had been sent by rail The subsidy is not restricted to particular firms, but may be claimed by any firm forwarding goods by coastwise shipping under the conditions laid down in the Public Notice issued on 20th August, 1919. The claims actually passed for payment during the past three months, which, however, do not correspond with the tonnage carried during that period, amounted to £79,315.