§ Mr. HODGEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in a recent application by the London County Council before the Railway and Canal Commissioners for facilities under the Cheap Trains Act to the districts of Ilford, Romford, and East Ham, a witness was not allowed to give evidence on behalf of the trades councils of those districts on the ground that his evidence was hearsay, although evidence had been heard from representatives of urban councils; and whether he can take any steps, legislatively or otherwise, to enable bodies of workmen to be represented at such inquiries?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)The Board of Trade have no control over the procedure of the Railway and Canal Commissioners, and I am not aware of the grounds on which the Commissioners declined to hear the evidence in question. I presume, however, that they acted in accordance with the usual practice of courts of law. If an association of workmen makes a complaint under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883, and the matter is referred for the decision of the Commission the association can, of course, be represented at the inquiry.