MR. PHILIPPS (Lanark, Mid)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received any Returns from the Railway Companies under "The Regulation of Railways Act, 1889," as to the hours worked by persons in their employment; and what limit of hours has been fixed by the Board of Trade beyond which limit the Companies are obliged to make Returns of the hours worked?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH, Bristol, W.)A Return in pursuance of The Regulation of Railways Act, 1890," of certain classes of railway servants who were, during the months of September, 1889, and March, 1890, on duty for more than 12 hours at a time, and who, after being on duty more than 12 hours, were allowed to resume work with less than eight hours' rest, is in an advanced stage of preparation, and will be laid 526 upon the Table in the course of the next few days.
MR. PHILIPPSWhat limit has been fixed by the Board of Trade beyond which the Companies are to be obliged to make Returns of the hours worked?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe Act of Parliament leaves it open to the Board of Trade to name any limit, and I have that matter under consideration now. What I should like to obtain is some kind of distinction between different cases in the same employment. It is perfectly obvious there is great distinction.