§ MR. WARDLEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether an inquiry into the existing relations between the Railways and the State is to be held; and, if so, if he can say what the nature and extent of the inquiry will be and when the inquiry will commence.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI am not in a position to answer my hon. friend's Question at the moment, but I shall be glad to do so later if he will put it down for a day towards the end of next week.
§ MR. WARDLEasked if the inquiry now proceeding of which they read in the newspapers had any reference to the inquiry which the right hon. Gentleman announced last week?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGENo; that is a Committee which was set up six weeks or two months ago. In reference to the debate of last week, I am now considering the question whether the inquiry then promised can be conducted by that Commission or whether it will be necessary to set up a perfectly independent Commission. I must consult the views of those who represent the Board of Trade.