§ MR. DODD (Essex, Maldon)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Board of Trade have no information, and are unable or decline to procure any, with regard to the extent to which some English and Welsh Railway Companies, on their cheap tickets issued to workmen, impose upon them a condition relieving the carrying Company from all liability for the death or injury of the workmen, if caused upon the journey by 428 the fault or negligence of the Company; whether the Home Office, or any other Government Department, has or will procure information as to what Companies issue such tickets, and to what extent, either in the form of the Return asked for or in some other form; and if he will consider the propriety of altering the law when opportunity arises, so as to make such conditions on passengers' tickets, whether cheap or ordinary fares are paid, invalid?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe matter to which my hon. Friend's question refers concerns the Board of Trade, and has nothing to do with the Home Office or any other Government Department. From communications which I have had with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, I know that the whole subject is at present engaging his attention.