§ Mr. W. Robertsasked the Minister of Food why he does not make fuller use of road transport for fat stock from 193W Carlisle to Lancashire towns, when the cost of such transport is much cheaper than transport by rail.
§ Mr. StracheyThe class and condition of livestock, the numbers to be moved, the distances involved, and the regulation of the slaughtering programme normally dictate the allocation of livestock traffic to the transport facilities available. Cost cannot be the primary consideration. But in any case, as I explained in my reply to the hon. Member on 6th July, the calculations in respect of a particular movement are not strictly comparable, since road charges are related to the class of stock carried and the distance involved, whereas the railway charge to the Ministry is calculated at a flat rate per head over the whole country irrespective of the class of livestock and of the distance. It does not follow from the figures quoted, therefore, that one method of transport is cheaper than another.