§ Mr. HAYDN JONESasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been directed to the railway rates charged on potatoes, which in the case of the consignment of 18 cwts. dispatched by rail from Forfar to Holyhead amounted to 61s. 6d., the value of the potatoes being 126s. 9d.; and whether, in view of the importance of enabling farmers to secure a supply of Scotch-grown seed, he will take steps to secure lower rates?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONA communication from the hon. Member on the subject has been passed to me. Jurisdiction over railway rates rests with the Railway Rates Tribunal, and on inquiry from the railway company I am informed that the rate charged in this case is the standard rate applicable to potato traffic passing in small quantities between the points. The Railways Act, 1921, affords means by which traders can apply to the Railway Rates Tribunal to modify standard charges or to fix new exceptional rates, and the matter is not one in which I could properly intervene.