asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce to state the percentage increase since July, 1914, in the railway freights on live stock in the Irish Free State, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain, respectively.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RAILWAY FREIGHTS ON LIVE STOCK.
It would not be possible even after a prolonged special inquiry to give single percentage figures which would accurately represent the position of the railway freights actually charged on live stock at the present moment as compared with July, 1914, in Saorstát Eireann, Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The Great Southern Railways Company is empowered to charge 100 per cent. with a flat addition in certain cases over rates in operation in January, 1920; the railways in Northern Ireland reduced their live stock rates some years ago to 100 per cent. over the rates in January, 1920; and the rates in Great Britain are now understood to be 60 per cent. over the rates in operation at that date. So many variations and adjustments both of general and of individual rates were, however, made between 1914 and 1920, and since 1920, that it would be practically impossible to prepare single percentage figures which would indicate the actual comparative position to-day.