§ MR. ATHERLEY-JONES (Durham, N. W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the in convenience arising from there being no station at or near West-wood on the Consett Branch of the North-Eastern Railway, and whether he will make representations to the railway company with the view of inducing them to provide for the requirements of the district by erecting a station at West-wood.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThis matter has been before the Board of Trade upon a proposal by the railway company concerned to provide uncovered platforms at Westwood, and to make it a stopping-place; and I have heard further from the company in consequence of the hon. and learned Gentleman's Question. The Board, on the advice of their inspecting officers, intimated to the railway company that if such a station were to be for the use of the general public, the ordinary requirements, which are not onerous, must be 967 complied with. For instance, some shelter from the weather, and some conveniences for the comfort of passengers should be supplied. The railway company appear to have been unwilling to incur the additional expense so involved, and did not further proceed with their proposal. The Board have no power to compel a railway company to increase their station accommodation.