§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the surface men engaged on night ballasting on the Highland Railway work thirteen hours nightly at a wage of 17s. per week, with the addition of 1s. per week for lodgings when absent from their homes; and whether he will consider the desirability of taking stepts to prevent these hours of labour on the Highland Railway?
§ MR. RITCHIEI am informed by the Company that the facts are not as stated in the Question, but that the men referred to work an average of 9¾ hours nightly, including the period for meals, that they only work five nights per week, and that they receive 22s. wages. I am informed that this work is of a special nature, and that the men work only 7½ hours per diem in the winter. If the hon. Member is not satisfied with this explanation, and desires to make a representation to the Board of Trade under the Railway Regulation Act, 1893, it will receive my attention.