§ MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the North British Railway Bill now before the House, whether he is aware that, in opposing the Kirkcaldy and District Railway Bill, the representatives of the North British Company entered into an agreement to complete the lines for which authority was being sought by the Kirkcaldy and District Railway Company; whether he is aware that the present Bill asks relief from this undertaking; and whether the Board of Trade propose to offer any objection to this portion of the Bill?
§ MR. BRYCEThe General Manager of the North British Railway informs me that in 1891 counsel for the company made a statement to a Committee of this House to the effect that the company would complete the lines, and he points out that there is nothing in the Bill which is inconsistent with this pledge, although the company may not be in a position fully to carry it out at present. The Bill is, in fact, promoted to help the Company towards carrying it into effect. This is a matter which may properly be dealt with by the Committee, and I reserve to myself the right to again consider it when the Bill comes back to the House.