§ MR. ESSLEMONT (Aberdeen, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Caledonian and North British Railway Companies have completed an agreement with a view to obviate competition for traffic between Aberdeen and Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively, whether the companies referred to propose under the agreement to reduce the travelling facilities hitherto enjoyed by the public, and to pool the receipts for passenger and goods traffic on certain routes; and if he proposes to take any action in order to safeguard the interests of the public.
§ MR. KEARLEYThe Board of Trade have communicated with the railway companies on this subject and have received replies to the effect that a traffic agreement has been entered into, but that although the companies hope to reduce to some extent present competition in regard to train service, no reasonable facilities hitherto afforded to the public are intended to be withdrawn. The companies add as regards the pooling of receipts that the agreement only extends arrangements heretofore in operation. The Board of Trade will carefully consider any complaint which may be received of the withdrawal of reasonable facilities.