HC Deb 26 April 1897 vol 48 c1070
MR. J. C. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the excessive overcrowding of the carriages of the Metropolitan and Metropolitan District Railways, he will suggest to those Companies that the bye-law approved by the Board of Trade under which a passenger is liable to a fine for travelling in a carriage of a class superior to that for which he is booked should be relaxed when he is unable to find a seat in the class of carriage for which he has taken a ticket?

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,on behalf of Mr. RITCHIE) Preston,

No, Sir I understand that my right hon. Friend is not prepared to make the suggestion referred to in the Question to the railway companies, as he doubts whether it would act as a remedy for overcrowding. As a matter of practice, the Board of Trade understand that the companies do not prosecute except in clear cases of intent to defraud.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

asked whether it had not already been decided that under the bye-laws of the railway companies the overcrowding of first class carriages by third class passengers was a trespass in respect of which first class passengers could recover damages?

MR. HANBURY

As the Question of the hon. Gentleman has only just been put into my hands, I am unable to answer it.