Major BARNESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will direct the Rates Tribunal to make an immediate investigation which, while taking into account the obligation to maintain the standard return to the railway companies and the need to safeguard public funds from claims arising out of abnormal expenditure, will, in view of the increasing evidence of the evil effects in trade and industry of the present high railway rates, consider the possibility of making, for an experimental period of not less than 18 months, a flat reduction in all railway rates to a point not in excess of 50 per cent. above such rates during the year 1913; and, if so, whether he will report the result of such investigation to the House?
§ Mr. NEALI would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the Minister has now no direct jurisdiction over railway rates. Under Part III of the Railways Act of last Session machinery for dealing with them has been set up which, in my opinion, adequately safeguards the interest of the traders and the public generally. The Rates Tribunal is ready and willing to deal immediately with any I application made to them by the traders. 55W I have no power to give such directions to the Tribunal as are suggested by the hon. and gallant Member, and the initiative in the matter rests with the traders.