Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made at the wire nails inquiry under the Safeguarding of Industries Act to the effect that, while a ton of nails can be brought from Antwerp to London for 20s., the cost of bringing a similar consignment of British nails from Birmingham to London is 40s.; and whether he will bring these facts to the 44W notice of the Ministry of Transport and the railway companies in view of the handicap which they impose upon the sale of British goods in the Home market?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am aware that evidence relating to comparative transport costs has been given before the Committee to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. I propose to await the Committee's Report before deciding what action, if any, would be advisable in the matter.