I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway Company have not yet fulfilled their undertaking to issue workmen's tickets between Grays and Purfleet by their 5.39 a.m. train; and whether he can state when such workmen's tickets will be issued. I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has taken any action with a view to inducing the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway Company to afford to the workmen of Grays and Tilbury similar facilities by means of workmen's tickets and workmen's trains for getting to the docks in London as are afforded to the inhabitants of Barking and places nearer the metropolis and as the company afford to the inhabitants of London for getting to the docks at Tilbury; and, if so, whether there is any prospect that such facilities will soon be granted.

The Board of Trade have been in communication with the railway company as to the delay in issuing workmen's tickets between Grays and Purfleet, and I understand that this delay has been due to the receipt of the subsequent demand for workmen's tickets from Tilbury and Grays to London referred to in the second Question. If this further demand is not proceeded with the company are prepared to issue the tickets to Purfleet at once, but if it is to be pressed the company would prefer that the whole matter should form the subject of any inquiry that may be ordered.