§ MR. HUDSON (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the representation made to the North- 62 Eastern Railway by and on behalf of the workmen using their line on the North-East Coast, for permission to use the return half of a ticket by any train carrying third-class passengers after twelve noon; and whether he contemplates amending the Workmen's Trains Act in this direction.
§ MR. KEARLEYI am aware that negotiations have recently taken place between the North-Eastern Railway Company and a Joint Committee representing various local authorities and associations of workmen with regard to the conditions under which workmen's tickets were issued on the company's line. The Joint Committee have informed the Board of Trade that they have now come to an agreement with the Railway Company with regard to this matter, and consequently do not desire to proceed further with the inquiry for which they applied under the Cheap Trains Act. As I informed my hon. friend the Member for Deptford on March 23rd, the question of the amendment of the Act is under consideration, but it is improbable that it can be dealt with during this session. Such matters as that referred to in the Question would undoubtedly be considered when any amending legislation is introduced.