§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been drawn to a circular recently issued from the office of the Superintendent of the Highland Railway Company, showing the hours of labour for men engaged on night ballasting to be from 6 p.m. to 6.55 a.m., or thirteen hours less five minutes; and whether he can take any steps under the Railways Regulation Act to prevent the Highland Railway Company working their men so many hours?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE, Croydon)I have seen the circular referred to by the hon. Member. It would appear to be a direction to the engineer with reference to the movement of a train, and not to the hours of employment for men. However, as I have already told him, if he is in a position to make a representation in writing, complaining of the hours on behalf of the men, inquiry will be made.
§ MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)asked whether, under the Railways Regulation Act a question asked in the House of Commons, making a suggestion of overwork, was not considered a sufficient representation?
§ MR. RITCHIENo, Sir, I don't think it is.
§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether he will agree to the Motion for a Return relating to the number of hours per week engine drivers, guards, pointsmen, porters, and other servants of the Highland Railway Company are employed?
§ MR. RITCHIEHaving regard to the fact that there is a distinct provision in the Railways Regulation Act, 1893, under which a Return such as that 1450 desired by the hon. Gentleman can be called for by the Board of Trade, I think that, unless the railway servants in question, or the hon. Gentleman on their behalf, make the necessary representation under that Act, I ought not to call on the Railway Company for such a Return. I have already informed the hon. Gentleman that if such a representation is made to me it shall receive my attention.