§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)asked the Secretary to the Board, of Trade, When copies of the Return as to the Capital, Traffic Receipts, and Working Expenditure of Railway Companies for 1886, which was laid upon the Table of the House on the 28th July, will be obtainable by the public; and, whether he will take steps in future to expedite the publication of these Returns?
§ THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)The Return referred to was sent to the printers on the 28th July, and I trust that it will soon be in the hands of Members. The Board of Trade have, however, no authority over the printers. I am most desirous for the early publication of the Return; but there is considerable difficulty in procuring the necessary information from some of the smaller Railway Companies.