§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the fact that the atmosphere in the Metropolitan Extension Railway between
† See (4) Debates, cxxxi., 1135.393 8 p.m. and midnight is specially foul through being surcharged with smoke emanating from coal of a highly bituminous character, will he represent to the railway company the desirability of using coal of a smokeless nature.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI have communicated with the railway company on the subject of the hon. Member's Question, and, in reply, they inform me that on the extension line from Baker Street, as well as on the Inner Circle Railway the best hard Welsh smokeless coal is always used, and that inspectors are employed to see that the engine-drivers fire in a proper manner. It is added that the railway from Baker Street through the tunnels is to be worked by electricity at an early date.
§ MR. WEIRsaid if the right hon. Gentleman would travel by a train near midnight from Baker Street to Finchley Road he would see that the facts were not stated in the information given to him.