Mr. MONTAGUE BARLOWasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) to what extent the assurances given by the railway companies at the time of the railway strike last summer have been carried 2962W out; what is the aggregate additional amount of wages now being paid by the railway companies in accordance with such assurances; and (2) whether, at the time of the railway strike last year, the railway companies were given to understand that, if they increased the amounts paid by them in wages to their men, the Board of Trade would be prepared to allow an increase of rates to be charged by the companies; whether the Board of Trade are proposing to allow the companies to make such increase in rates; and, if so, when?
Mr. ROBERTSONI am not aware of any assurances given by the railway companies at the time of the railway strike last summer to the effect that they would increase wages, and I cannot state the aggregate amount of the increases of wages which have since been conceded or arranged. It is proposed in the Railways Bill which has been introduced to give effect to the undertaking given by the Government to the companies, of which I am forwarding a copy to the hon. Member.