§ Mr. M. STEVENSasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that his railway statistics show that the 26,139 tons of yarn carried by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company for the week ended 29th February, after railway rates had been increased, only realised 8s. 2½d. per ton, this rate, not sufficient to pay the cost of cartage alone to and from the railway stations, covering two cartages, two station and two service terminals, as well as conveyance by rail and possibly other services, whether he will consider the desirability of preventing the railway companies from continuing to carry this very short distance C and D traffic at below cost, thus entailing considerable loss to the country, when it can be so much more economically conveyed by road throughout, although not at 8s. 2½d. per ton?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI have been in communication with the railway company concerned, and understand from them that the figures furnished by them appear to require amendment. The question of handling particular traffic can in any case hardly be considered apart from the general revision of rates now being considered by the Rates Advisory Committee, before whom the hon. Member has kindly given evidence.