§ MR. FIRTHasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether it is the fact that the Metropolitan District Railway Company decline to issue Parliamentary tickets by more than two trains each day; whether it is not the fact that the third-class fare between certain stations on the line is double the Parliamentary rate; and, whether the action of the Railway Company is legally justifiable; and, if not, whether he is prepared to take measures to secure the interests and rights of the travelling poor?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAIN,in reply, said, he was informed that the statements generally in the Question of his hon. Friend were correct. He was also informed that the fares now charged by the Company were not in excess of the maximum rates allowed by the Act of Parliament. The Regulation of Railways Act, 1844, provided that the Company should run each clay one train each way for the carrying of third-class passengers, and that not more than a penny per mile should be charged. Under these circumstances, it did not seem that the Company exceeded their powers; and the Board of Trade, therefore, had no right to interfere.