§ MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on at least one, and probably on all, the railways in the country over half the proprietors are persons of small means, holding stock of less than £500; and whether he will duly take this circumstance into account in approaching railway companies with a request that they should provide third class sleeping accommodation for a comparatively small section of the public.
§ (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I have no definite information as to the means or exact holdings of the individual shareholders in railway companies, but the available statistics point to the conclusion that the holdings of the majority of them do not exceed the sum mentioned by my hon. friend. The Board of Trade do not at present propose to take action in the direction referred to.