§ Mr. KENNEDYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if he is aware that the carriage of all parcels traffic forwarded by passenger train from stations in Great Britain must be prepaid, while parcels from overseas are accepted carriage forward; and whether any steps can be taken to re-establish the former arrangement under which the carriage of parcels could be paid either by the consignor or consignee?
§ Mr. NEALThe railway companies state that to re-establish the former arrangement, whereby the charges on parcels could be paid either by the consignor or the consignee, would require considerable additional staff, with a consequent increase in the cost of transit. In compliance with Sections 42 to 45 of the Railways Act, 1921, the companies have submitted to the Rates Tribunal proposed conditions of carriage, and one of the conditions stipulates for prepayment of charges for traffic by passenger train. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a public notice issued by the tribunal as to the procedure to be taken by traders who may desire to object to the companies' proposals.