§ Mr. P. Freemanasked I the Minister of War Transport whether he will arrange to secure that railway rates, warehouse and dock charges are placed on a similar basis in the South Wales ports as those in London and Liverpool, etc, so that shipping will not be diverted because of these differences
§ Mr. BarnesDuring the war, railway rates have been increased by 16⅔ per cent. generally. The general increase in dock charges at the railway-owned ports in South Wales is 20 per cent. (7½ per cent. on certain coasting liners), a much lower figure than those authorised for London and Liverpool. To this extent, the competitive position of the South Wales ports is better than before the war, and I am not prepared to require general reductions in the rates and charges affecting them. The Great Western Railway Company is, however, ready to investigate the railway rates for any specific traffic for which there is a prospect of export through the ports, and local discussions on these lines are already taking place.