§ MR. HENRY H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to clauses proposed to be introduced into Private Bills enabling certain Railway Companies to increase the nominal amount of their ordinary share capital without any corresponding increase in the amount actually paid up; and, whether, having regard to the provisions of 7 and 8 Vic. c. 85, and to the general question of railway rates, he will state what course he proposes to adopt with respect to such clauses?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS-BEACH,) Bristol, W.My attention has been directed to the matter referred to, and I am now in communication with the authorities of both Houses with the view of checking any attempts to evade the provisions, either of the earlier Act quoted by the right hon. Gentleman, or of the Act of last Session.