§ DR. HAZEL (West Bromwich)I beg to ask the President of the Board of 479 Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence given at the inquest held on the body of a girl named Emily Beatrice Millington, who was run over and killed by an electric tramcar at West Bromwich on May 5th, in which it is shown that more than half an hour elapsed before the tramcar could be lifted and the girl extricated, and that this delay was due to the lack of any suitable lifting appliance; whether he is aware that similar delays in extricating injured persons have occurred from the same cause in connection with other similar accidents on this and neighbouring tramway systems; and whether, with a view to prevent such occurrences in the future, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to make compulsory the carrying of hydraulic lifting-jacks on all electric, steam, and cable tramcars.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. KEARLEY, Devonport)The Board of Trade have received a report of the fatal accident referred to in my hon. friend's Question. It appears that the child suddenly ran in front of the car and that the wheel passed over her killing her instantly. The Board of Trade have not hitherto considered the necessity of recommending that all cars should carry lifting-jacks, but it is their intention to hold an inquiry into this accident, and this special point will be carefully considered.