§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the railway companies of Great Britain have combined in refusing to allow a patented humane car to run on their lines; whether he is aware that this car obtained a certificate from the Board of Trade and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, that it 20 was granted a gold metal by the French Board of Agriculture and that many leading railway officials signed an approval of the car when exhibited at the Royal Show, Birmingham; and, if so, whether he will make inquiry into this refusal of improved transit by the railway companies of Great Britain.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralCommunications in this matter were addressed to the Board of Trade in 1899 and 1900 by the company interested in the car referred to. Beyond this I have no information on the subject other than that with which the hon. Member has himself supplied me, and I do not know to what "Certificate from the Board of Trade" he refers. I may remind the hon. Member that a similar Question was put by him and answered on behalf of my noble friend the President of the Board of Agriculture on the 8th of July last.† I am unable to add to the answer then given except to call the hon. Member's attention to Section 117 of the Railways Clauses Act of 1845.
§ MR. FIELDIf I give the right hon. Gentleman further information will he make inquiries as to the accuracy of the statements in the Question?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI will consider any information placed before me, but I can give no pledge beyond that.