§ Mr. CLYNES (for Mr. Snowden)asked the President of the Board of Trade if his Department has received representations as to the practice of the Great Eastern Railway Company in refusing to allow blind persons to travel upon their line unless such persons sign an agreement relieving the company from all liability for injury, from whatever cause the injury may arise, and further requiring such persons to provide a guide to travel with them; and whether the Board of Trade propose to take any legislative or other action to protect such blind persons from this action of the railway company, which is not permitted by any authorised bye-law?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. H. J. Tennant)I am not aware that the Great Eastern Raliway Company require blind people desiring to travel on their lines to sign an agreement relieving the company from liability for injury, but I understand that they recently issued a circuular that blind persons could not be allowed to travel in the company's trains if unaccompanied. The circular states that the question of making special arrangements in particular cases will be considered by the company, and I will communicate with them on this point.
§ Mr. CLYNESHas the hon. Gentleman any information as to similar conditions prevailing in other countries?
§ Mr. TENNANTIn other countries? No. I have no information about other countries. There is information about other companies.