§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to issue a Return showing the preferential treatment given by railway companies in connection with foreign produce sent to this country?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI have been asked to reply. I am not aware that preferential treatment is given by the railway companies to foreign as compared with home produce under similar circumstances. I would remind my hon. Friend that the Railway and Canal Commission has jurisdiction in regard to any complaint brought before them as to an undue preference given by a railway company, and that Section 27 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, provides that whenever it is shown that a railway company charge one trader or class of traders less for the same or similar merchandise or services than they charge to other traders or classes of traders, or make any difference in treatment in respect of such traders the burden of proving that the lower charge or difference in treatment does not amount to an undue preference lies on the railway company.