Transport Potatoes (Freights) 40. Mr. LAMB asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a temporary reduction of rates for the carriage of potatoes from Scotland to England is again to be granted by the railway companies from 1st December, 1922, to 31st May, 1923; that the English railway companies have refused to grant similar concessions in favour of English producers for potatoes consigned to southern counties, which are large consuming areas; and whether he proposes to take any action with a view to averting the unfair competition which must result? The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Lieut.-Colonel Ashley) I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative, and as regards the second part, although the Minister has now no power of directing the railway companies as to their charges, I am communicating with them, and will advise the hon. Member of the result. Derwent Valley Railway 50. Mr. C. WHITE asked the Prime Minister whether, in the arrangements he is making with the railway companies to forward the construction and extension of railways, steps can be taken to push forward the construction of the Derwent Valley, Calver and Grindleford Railway, which was originally included in the North Western, Midland and Scottish Group in the Railway Bill of 1921; and whether he is aware that by the construction of this railway a great public service would be rendered to the community, a district rich in minerals opened up, which would provide permanent employment for a large number of men, and the construction of which would also find immediate-employment for the large number at present unemployed in that district? Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEY I have been asked to reply. I am aware that the Derwent Valley, Calver and Bakewell Railway was originally included in the North Western and Midland Group proposed in the Railways Bill, 1921, but it was struck out in Committee. I am afraid I can give the hon. Member no information with regard to the intentions of the promoters of this scheme. Mr. WHITE Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that this railway would provide work for the unemployed,, about whom the Government appear to be so anxious? Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEY The hon. Gentleman will appreciate the fact that this scheme was struck out by a Committee of this House. Motor Taxation 52. Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAY asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the inequitable nature of the present system of motor taxation and to the heavy increase of ouside motor traffic-upon certain county roads, he will consider the advisability of appointing a-Committee to consider the substitution of taxation by motor spirit for the present system and to inquire into the incidence-of taxation as between the Imperial: Exchequer and local authorities? Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEY I have been, asked to answer this question. In reply, to the first part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which: I gave on 30th November to the hon. Member for the Chippenham Division, (Mr. Bonwick), of which I am sending him a copy. The second part raises the-wide question of the relative incidence of imperial and local taxation which cannot be regarded merely from the point of: view of highway administration. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the matter from the point of view of setting up a Commission or Committee to consider the subject? Lieut-Colonel ASHLEY There is a Committee—a Departmental Committee— already sitting which is reviewing the incidence of the tax as imposed from 1st January, and they will in due course report whether or not any modification is desirable. North British Railway Company 57. Mr. SHINWELL asked the Prime Minister whether, in his endeavour to find work for the unemployed, he will make representations to the North British Railway Company to double the line from Bo'ness to the main line and to the Caledonian Railway Company to extend the line from Barnton viâ Bo'ness to Grangemouth, both of which extensions will assist the industrial development of the district? Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEY I have been asked to reply. The question of doubling these lines is one for the consideration of the railway companies respectively concerned, and I am bringing the hon. Gentleman's suggestion to the notice of the companies. Railway Carriages 66. Sir HENRY FOREMAN asked the Prime Minister whether, with the view of providing for skilled labour in the schemes of reproductive work provided and also with the object of increasing the safety of the travelling public, he will suggest to the railway companies that it is now the time to take in hand an extensive scheme of remodelling the present compartment carriages on corridor lines, thereby providing work on a considerable scale either in the direction of reconstructing the railway carriages which exist or in constructing new ones entirely? Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEY I have been asked to answer this question. I think that railway companies are alive to the desirability of replacing compartment carriages by corridor carriages so far as this can be done with advantage, and are adopting this policy. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, corridor carriages are not necessarily the most suitable for short distance traffic, and I am not prepared to press the companies in the matter. Sir H. FOREMAN Will the Prime Minister make representations in favour of third-class sleeping carriages on the journey to Scotland?