§ Mr. P. Morrisasked the Minister of Transport whether he is now prepared to make regulations under Section 87 of the Transport Act terminating the Railway Freight Rebates Scheme and winding up of the Railway Freight Rebates Fund.
§ Mr. BarnesYes, I am making regulations terminating, as from 31st December, 1950, as respects the British Transport Commission, the system of rebates provided for by the Railway Freight Rebates Enactments, 1929 to 1943, and providing for the winding up of the Railway Freight Rebates Fund and for payment of the balance standing to the credit thereof to the Commission. The Regulations will also provide that the principal of and the interest on outstanding Rebates Stock shall become a liability of the Commission.
I have received from the Commission assurances that, from 1st January, 1951, to the date when a Charges Scheme governing the Commission's Railway Merchandise Charges comes into force, payment of the rebates on milk and livestock traffic will be continued, on a voluntary basis, at the present rate of 121 per cent. Any question whether the future charges under the Charges Scheme should reflect rebates which have been allowed in the past is one for determination by the Transport Tribunal when considering the Draft Scheme. Neither the making of the regulations nor the continuance of the rebates on milk and livestock should be regarded as prejudicing the position before the Tribunal either of the industries which have benefited from the Scheme or of the Commission.