§ 31. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there are nearly a million stockholders in British railways holding directly while, through the holdings of trusts, friendly societies, trade unions, and others, many millions of the people are beneficially interested; and whether he will provide for representation of such stockholders upon the proposed Railway Committee which is to take the place of the Railway Executive?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe Railway Committee will be for the purpose of advising the Minister upon questions of railway working, and stockholding is not a qualification for an advisor on such matters.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that since civilisation and the ownership of property began owners always have been considered well qualified ta assist in looking after their property?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI give place to no one in my belief that the owners of property look after at very well, but in this case the railway companies have a large, a preponderating, number of their own general managers upon the advisory committee as representing the share and stockholders in the undertakings.
§ Major Earl WINTERTONIs it not a fact that of these million shareholders there are a large number of widows and others whose total income is less than that of the higher-grade railway servant, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that they are just as entitled to be represented as the railway servants?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI have the greatest sympathy with the interests of the widows and orphans who hold shares in railways, but I cannot see that they would be very well qualified because of their holding to advise me on technicalities.
Mr. J. JONESWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing lunatics in asylums who are also shareholders?