§ Mr. DAVID DAVIESasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade if there has been a single instance where three competing railway companies have received Parliamentary powers to combine or amalgamate in the railway legislation of this country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir. Such an amalgamation was sanctioned in 1900, when the Great Southern and Western Railway Company took over the Water-ford, and Central Ireland, and the Water-ford, Limerick, and Western Railways. I have no doubt that a number of instances could be found in earlier years, especially if my hon. Friend's question is not limited to amalgamations sanctioned in the course of a single Session.