MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state under what authority the railway companies of the United Kingdom are enabled to enforce a deposit upon season ticket holders varying in amount and only returnable at the expiration of the period contracted for; and whether there are any regulations defining the amounts so charged.
§ MR. RITCHIEThe issue of the season tickets at reduced rates is a purely voluntary proceeding on the part of railway companies, and the terms upon which they are issued are therefore a matter of arrangement between them and their customers.