§ MR. HERBERT GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)asked the President of the Board of Trade Whether, in any further legislation with regard to canals, he can see his way to take into consideration the recommendation of the Railway Committee of 1882, which was to the effect that it was impolitic that Railway Companies should have control, either directly or indirectly, of canal navigation, and that where canals are already under the control of Railway Companies Parliament should endeavour to secure their use to the fullest extent?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA) (Sheffield, Brightside),in reply, said, the subject was one to which the Government attached great importance in the interests of the trading community. It was already illegal for Railway Companies to acquire canals without the express sanction of Parliament; but the spirit and intention of the law had been too often successfully evaded. The Government were now considering how far it was possible, by the insertion of clauses in the Railway and Canal Traffic Bill, to secure that the provisions of the Standing Orders of this House, and also the recommendations made by the Committee in 1882, should be complied with, and he hoped they should be able to succeed.