HC Deb 03 May 1804 vol 24 cc236-7
MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade is he aware that the Directors of the London and North Western Railway Company have issued an Order prohibiting soldiers in uniform from travelling by their mail boats between Dublin and Holyhead, and compelling them to proceed by pig and cattle boats; and do the Government intend to make any representations to the Company as to their action in the matter?

MR. MUNDELLA

The Railway Company inform the Board of Trade that down to the end of last month no restriction was placed upon the conveyance of soldiers, whether on furlough or otherwise, by the express boats, although many complaints of their misbehaviour on board and of the annoyance suffered by passengers in consequence had been made from time to time. Further instances having recently come under the notice of the Company's officials at Dublin and Holyhead, as well as on board the steamers, it became necessary in the public interest to intervene and to protect regular passengers from the disorderly scenes of which they were compelled, much against their will, to be eye-witnesses. Orders were accordingly given at the beginning of April that soldiers on furlough, unless observed to be sober and apparently well-behaved, were to be conveyed by the Company's cargo boat, but the restriction does not apply either to non-commissioned officers from the rank of sergeants upwards, inclusive of sergeants, or to soldiers travelling in detachments who are usually accompanied by an officer. The Board cannot take any further action in the matter.

MAJOR RASCH

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire how it is that the London and North Western Railway Company have alone issued an Order so derogatory to the wearers of Her Majesty's uniform?

MR. MUNDELLA

I think that the hon. and gallant Member would do well to read the correspondence with the Railway Company. He will then see what the allegations of the Company are.

MR. W. JOHNSTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the soldiers concerned were Irish soldiers?

[No answer was given.]