HC Deb 02 May 1901 vol 93 cc431-2
MR. LOUGH

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case of the cyclist, a member of the Cyclists' Touring Club, whose cycle had been stolen from the cloak room at Clapham Junction, and who was refused any compensation by the London and South Western Railway Company, whether he was aware that the Railway Company deny any liability for the loss of a cycle duly deposited in a cloak room, except when wilful negligence can be proved; and whether, if this claim on the part of the companies for exemption from liability in the case of cycles could be maintained under the existing laws, he would propose legislation extending the liability of the companies for loss or damage, which already exists in the case of other forms of property, to cycles.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the position assumed by the railway company. I understand that the particular case referred to has been settled to the satisfaction of the owner of the cycle. I am not prepared to give the undertaking asked for in the latter part of the question.