Mr. F. HALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will furnish a return showing the present freight charges by rail for roofing slates and roofing tiles, respectively, with the corresponding pre-War charges?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am not in a position to furnish the hon. Member with a return showing the actual freight charges for the carriage of common roofing slates and roofing tiles in operation before the War and at the present day. In view of the number of individual rates involved such a return would be very voluminous. The rates at present in operation for these traffics are the rates in force on the 14th of January, 1920, with an addition thereto of 75 per cent. plus a flat rate addition of 3d. per ton, with a maximum addition of 6s. per ton. No general percentage increase was made in goods rates prior to 14th January, 1920.