asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the compensation recoverable in respect of cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses booked at owner's risk rates on English railways has been increased from £15 to £50 in the case of cattle, from £2 to £5 in the case of pigs and sheep, and from £50 to £100 in the case of horses, and if he is aware that the like compensation recoverable in Ireland was fixed sixty or seventy years ago when prices were much lower than at present, and to ask if legislation will be introduced to enable such compensation figures being raised to present-day levels.

The increase in the amount of compensation, to which the Deputy refers, is not yet operative in Great Britain. It will come into force on the "appointed day," that is the day on which the "Standard Charges" are introduced for the British railways.

By Section 51 of the Railways Act, 1924, a similar increase will operate on the Great Southern Railways (the Amalgamated Company) as from the "appointed day," in respect of this Company.