HC Deb 10 February 1902 vol 102 cc859-60
MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Lancashire and Yorkshire, the Furness, and Midland Railway Companies are seeking Parliamentary powers to purchase and acquire steam vessels employed in connection with their lines under conditions which will enable them to give preference; whether the Railway Department of the Board of Trade will examine those Bills, and through him report to the House in the public interest.

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

Yes, Sir, my attention has been directed to this matter, and I replied to a similar Question on Thursday last.†If the hon. Member will refer to Standing Order 156 he will find it bears upon the subject, and is, I think, quite sufficient to meet his point.