HC Deb 27 October 1884 vol 293 cc254-5
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, in view of the statement made by the First Lord of the Treasury as to the condition of Preston Railway Station when the First Lord of the Treasury was recently passing through that town, he will communicate with the Railway authorities as to the advisability of preventing in the future political demonstrations at Railway stations?

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

The Board of Trade have no authority or control whatever over the arrangements which may be made for preserving order at railway stations. They have had no complaints addressed to them, and they have no reason to believe that the Railway Companies are either unable or unwilling to protect the public from danger; and, under these circumstances, I do not think it would be right to propose legislation giving further authority to the Board of Trade.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into the case of the Glasgow Railway Station, where there was undoubted danger from the great crowd? Will he also allow me to place him in possession of several letters which I have received from members of the travelling public complaining of the inconvenience and danger they were subjected to at Preston?

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

If the noble Lord has any evidence and will place it at my disposal, I will gladly take it into consideration.