§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, in the preparation of any measure for giving increased powers or duties to the Railway Commissioners, he will consider the expediency of enabling them to deal effectually with proved instances of defective station accommodation?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAIN,in reply, said, that the point referred to in the Question was one of considerable importance, and the attention of the Board of Trade had been directed to it in connection with recent inquiries before the Railway Commissioners, as to which the decision of the Commissioners had been pronounced to be ultra vires by the Court of Law to which the matter was referred. It was not, however, certain that the decision of that Court was to be regarded 98 as final, and there was some question whether an appeal might not be taken to a higher tribunal. If, however, it were found that the Railway Commissioners had not the power mentioned in the Question, the matter would then receive his (Mr. Chamberlain's) careful consideration during the Recess.