§ Mr. MARTINasked if he is aware that an amalgamation of the London General Omnibus Company, the Metropolitan District Railway Company, and the Underground Electric Railways Company is being arranged; and whether he will introduce legislation similar to the Sherman Anti-Trust Law of the United States of America to protect the public against combinations intended to prevent competition in railway rates?
Mr. BUXTONI have seen it stated in the Press that some such arrangement is under consideration. The recent Departmental Committee on Railway Amalgamations recommend, inter alia, that the Railway and Canal Traffic Act of 1894 with regard to increase of railway rates should be extended to cover passenger fares, and the Government hope to introduce a Bill next Session to deal with the matters covered by the recommendations of the Committee.