§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state in what manner the position has altered (as stated by him in a letter addressed to the hon. Member for Dulwich, and published in The Times of Saturday, 18th November) since the Second Reading of the Cheap Trains (London) Bill; and whether he proposes to appoint a Select Committee, in accordance with his own proposal and the decision of the House of Commons of 22nd February?
§ * THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideThe Debate on the Second Reading of the Cheap Trains Bill took place on the 22nd of February. On the 2nd of May the London County Council furnished the Board of Trade with the further Report of the Public Health and Housing Committee of that body, and asked the Board to convene a Conference of members of the Council and the Managers of Railways having termini in the Metropolis. A meeting took place on the 28th of June, under the presi- 1693 dency of Sir Courtenay Boyle, and four important resolutions were adopted: (1.) Workmen's tickets to be available for the return journey after 12 noon by any train, subject to special exceptions. (2.) Conditions of issue to be conspicuously advertised. (3.) Daily tickets to be issued in addition to weekly tickets. (4.) Railway Companies to consider system of grouping fares for varying distances up to 12 miles from terminus. It was agreed that the Conference should meet again when the Managers were prepared with a scheme under this head. I do not think, therefore, that any useful purpose would be served by appointing a Committee at present, but I will give the matter my best consideration next Session; and I hope that the hon. Member for Dulwich, whose illness we much regret, will then be able to take part in the consideration of a question in which he is so much interested.