§ 32 Mr. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many men of the age of twenty-one years or over employed on all the railways of the United Kingdom are at present in receipt of earnings of less than 20s. per week; (2) what increases in passenger rates have been generally instituted by the railway companies of the United Kingdom since August, 1911 and whether he has any official information that would enable him to state the increase in the annual income of the companies resulting from these increased rates; (3) whether he has any official information showing what additional income per annum will accrue to the railway companies of the United Kingdom from an increase of 4 per cent. in goods rates; and (4) what is approximately the total amount paid by the railway companies of the United Kingdom per annum owing to increased rates of wages since October, 1911?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)The Board of Trade have no official information which would enable me to answer the hon. Member's inquiries.
§ Mr. COOPERWill the right hon. Gentleman explain how his Department or the Railway and Canal Commissioners are going to see that the Act passed last March will be carried into effect, and that the increases in rates are confined to meeting improved labour conditions?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe increase must be due solely to the improved conditions of labour of the men in the employment of the company.
§ Mr. COOPERHave they already proved that before the Railway and Canal Commissioners before notifying the increases in rates which are to come into force in July?
§ Mr. BUXTONPersons who have any complaint to make can bring it before the Railway and Canal Commissioners, and then the companies will have to prove their case.
§ Mr. WARDLEIs it a fact that, although they have all given notice of an increase of 4 per cent., they have not given a general increase of 4 per cent. to the men?
§ Mr. BUXTONThey have got to justify the increase in each case separately.