§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)asked the President of the Board of Trade, If his attention has been called to a number of letters in The Standard newspaper describing the outrageous conduct of drunken soldiers and sailors thrust into railway carriages at Willesden Junction; and, whether he will take steps that will prevent the recurrence of such action on 1685 the part of the railway officials, whereby the safety of passengers is endangered?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)I have made some inquiry into the matter referred to, and I find that three out of 47 discharged soldiers, for whom special accommodation was provided, escaped from the observation of the station officials at Willesden Junction, and got into an ordinary compartment, where they misbehaved themselves. They were taken from the train at Tamworth and brought before a magistrate, who imposed a trifling fine on account of their previous good character. There has been communication between the Horse Guards and the Railway Company, and steps will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such annoyance, and attendants at refreshment bars will be cautioned not to serve the men.