§ MR. BLAKEsaid, he would beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to a late murderous attack by a maniac on two fellow passengers in a Railway carriage on the North Western Line between Liverpool and London, whereby they received wounds seriously endangering their lives; and whether the Government intend taking any and what steps to compel the Railway Companies to provide means to enable passengers to obtain assistance in the event of outrage or accident?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONsaid, his attention had not been called to the occurrence in question, otherwise than by reading an account of it in the newspapers. He understood the hon. Member to refer to the necessity of there being some means of communication available to passengers with guards. That subject had been mentioned 1286 occasionally by the Inspector of Railways as one worthy of consideration, but there were objections entertained in many quarters, and he could not say that the Board of Trade had in view any proposal. They had frequently sent circulars to Railway Companies, calling their attention to the necessity of having means of communication between guards and drivers, but he did not know that they had ever suggested means of communication between passengers and guards. It was not for him to say whether there should be such means or not, but undoubtedly the subject was well worthy of consideration.