asked the Prime Minister whether he will hold an immediate inquiry into the part played by the railway combine and the Railways Act, 1921, in the maintenance of freights at a level which is crushing agriculture, hampering trade revival, and promoting unemployment?

I am not aware what the hon. Member means by the railways combine, but in view of the establishment by the Railways Act, 1921, of the Railway Rates Tribunal, which is now the determining authority for railway charges, and to which appeal can be made at any time, I am unable to agree that any useful purpose would be served by instituting the inquiry suggested by the hon. Member.

Is the purpose of that Act to reduce the rates, or to keep them up? [An HON. MEMBER: "Keep them up! "]