§ 32. Mr. Marcus Samuelasked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to protect the public, he will introduce legislation to confer on the railway companies power to secure that the contents of all properties left at cloakrooms shall be displayed by the depositors before leaving them?
§ Captain WallaceLegislation is not required to confer on the railway companies powers to secure that the contents of properties left at cloakrooms should be displayed by the depositors before leaving them, as the companies as warehousemen are entitled to know the nature of the goods they are requested to warehouse before they are accepted. In view of recent events the companies have considered it desirable in many instances to require prospective depositors to open packages and display the contents before packages are accepted for warehousing, and a notice of this requirement is exhibited at the cloakrooms.
§ Mr. SamuelCan my right hon. and gallant Friend say why they did not use their powers earlier, and so prevent loss of life?
§ Captain WallaceIf it were a question of taking general powers, those powers would apply to all warehouses, and not only those of railway companies; but it would then be a matter for the Home Office rather than for my Department. I think the fact is that the railways have powers in this matter which should be adequate.