§ Major GLYNasked the Minister of Transport whether, in the opinion of the advisers of the Ministry who have prepared the proposed grouping scheme, it is anticipated that the Scottish railways, if grouped together, can earn equal profits on equal scales of rates as the railways in the North-Eastern group; whether, in the event of undue profits being made by one group area, it will permit that area to reduce its rates; if not, will an exactly similar situation occur with the positions reversed that now enables Scottish railways to charge freight rates on a lower scale; and whether the fear of Scottish traders is not in having to pay the same rates on freight as for England but on a higher scale than the English, which will inevitably result from the Government scheme?
§ Mr. NEALThe railways of Scotland do not to-day earn equal profits to the north-eastern groups and I am not in a position to say that the grouping of the Scottish railways will enable them to do so, but it should materially improve their position. As regards the remaining part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question I must ask him to wait until the forthcoming Bill is introduced.