§ 2. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now inform the House of the result of the negotiations with the railway companies whose passenger steamers ply on the River Clyde in respect of the hours of labour worked by engineers and stokers upon these steamers; if he can say how many unemployed engineers could be absorbed into employment if the railway companies observed a 48-hour working week; and if he is aware of the urgency of this question, in view of the holiday season being already well advanced?
Mr. WEBBI understand that the matter is being carefully gone into by the companies, but I am sorry I am not yet in a position to give the hon. Member the information for which he asks. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer him to the answer given to him on 26th June.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in another eight weeks' time the summer season will have passed, and if he is going to do anything this summer he must do it now?
Mr. WEBBI am afraid it is not possible to do anything except try to influence the railway companies concerned. I have no reason to doubt that they are taking the matter into very careful consideration, but it is not possible to re-arrange a service of this kind at a moment's notice.
§ Mr. HANNONCould we have the names of the railway companies concerned?