§ Major FRED KELLEYasked the Home Secretary why the staff of the railways who are likely to be displaced by the Ways and Communications Bill are to receive compensation, and the same principle of compensation is not to be given to the staff and servants of the different wagon companies to be absorbed by this Bill?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe position of officers and servants of a railway of which possession is taken or retained under the provisions of the Ways and Communications Bill is in no respect comparable with the position of the staff and servants of a wagon company. The undertakings of wagon companies will not and cannot be absorbed by the Bill, and it is hoped that the wagon building business, instead of diminishing, will progress; and, whilst the Minister of Ways and Communications996W will have direct power to take action in regard to the services of an officer or servant of a railway company, the Bill confers no powers at all upon him in relation to an officer or servant of a wagon company.