§ The Marquess of Lansdownewished to ask noble Earl opposite three questions with reference to a subject of great importance, that of accidents on railways. First, whether, in the case of any accident occurring on a railway, the state of the law or the practice of the Board of Trade required a report of it to be made to the Railway Department? second, whether an inquiry was immediately instituted by order of the Board? thirdly, whether, if such inquiry were instituted, there would be any objection to report the result of such inquiries, as they occurred, to that House or the public?
The Earl of Dalhousiesaid, in answer to the first question, as to whether railway companies were bound by law or practice to make reports of any accident occurring; that by the Act of 1840, and he thought by a subsequent Act, railway companies were bound to report to the Board of Trade any accident attended with loss of life within forty-eight hours after its occurrence. With respect to other accidents, not attended with loss of life, they were also bound to make a report, though not within so short a period; and, to the best of his knowledge and belief, such reports were invariably made. He was not aware of any instance in which such a report had not been made; if it was neglected, undoubtedly the full penalty would be put in force against the company. With respect to the course of proceeding adopted by the Department on receiving these reports, their practice was according to the circumstances of the case. Unless 1018 the case was a very serious one, and the circumstances were of an aggravated complexion, the usual practice was to wait for the report of the coroner's inquest. If the circumstances were unsatisfactory, they had invariably pursued the course of sending down the Inspector General to view the place which had been the scene of the accident, inquire into the circumstances, and report to the Board. The result of this inspection was usually a communication from the Board to the railway company, setting forth the case, and suggesting any alterations that might appear requisite. There, he was sorry to say, the authority of the Board stopped short; they had no absolute authority to require alterations, though the responsibility cast upon the Company by the Board of Trade was often sufficiently strong to bring them about. Upon all such unfortunate occasions immediate attention was shown, and an inspector was immediately sent to decide whether the railway stood in want of repair. As to the reports made upon those accidents, of course there would be no objection to lay them on the Table of the House; and they might, if necessary, be embodied in an annual Report on the subject of railways. If the noble Marquess wished to have the reports as to the recent accidents laid on the Table, there would be no objection.
§ The Duke of Wellingtonwished to know whether any Report had been made to the Board of Trade as to an accident caused in the neighbourhood of Bridgewater by the luggage trucks getting off the rails?
The Earl of Dalhousiesaid, no such Report had been received, nor had the Board been made acquainted with the accident.