§ Lieut.-Colonel COATESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the National Conference of Assessment Committees, in September, 1921, entered into an agreement with the various railway companies for the years 1922–23–24, under which agreement the rateable values of such companies were reduced from 21 per cent. to 70 per cent. of the existing values, which in one case represented an actual cash equivalent of several hundred thousand pounds, and, as a result of these reductions, the companies have been relieved of their fair share of the local taxation burden and have shifted it upon the backs of the general community, of which in most counties in the country the agricultural community carries the heaviest proportion, and that such relief to the companies is made good almost entirely by additional rate levies on agricultural property; and will he say what steps can be taken to secure an immediate decrease in the railway charges for the transport of agricultural and horticultural produce?
§ Colonel ASHLEY:I have been asked to answer this question. I understand that the agreement to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was voluntarily entered into by the National Conference of Assessment Committees and the railway companies. I have no knowledge of the effect of the agreement. With regard to the latter part of the question, under Sections 60 and 78 of the Railways Act, 1921, applications may be made to the Railway Rates Tribunal for reduction of railway charges, and the Tribunal may make such modifications as they deem just.