§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (&c.) Kirkcaldy,asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he will introduce into the Railway Traffic Bill provisions giving the same protection and regulation in regard to passengers that he proposes to give in regard to goods, so that there may be a competent authority to entertain complaints of the travelling public, and to protect them against excessive charges, undue preference, unequal charges to different localities, want of through rates and through trains on connecting lines, habitual unpunctuality of running, want of warming and otter reasonable comforts, and other ills common on those lines where there is a monopoly and no free competition?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA) (Sheffield, Brightside)The Railway and Canal Traffic Act of 1854, and the Regulation of Railways Act of 1873, contain provisions for preventing undue preference and enforcing through facilities in respect of passengers as well as of goods, and the jurisdiction of the Railway Commissioners to enforce these provisions will be enlarged and strengthened by the present Bill. With regard to the other matters mentioned by the hon. Member, it has not been thought desirable to encumber the Bill with provisions which, however important, would raise fresh subjects of discussion. Of course, it is open for my hon. Friend to move Amendments in Committee.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLgave Notice that on the second reading of the Bill he would, considering that the passengers had been more numerous and important than the traders, for whom so much consideration had been shown, move—
That it be an Instruction to the Commissioners to make additional provision for the protection of passengers also.