§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEsaid, he wished to ask the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, with the view of protecting the public, it would not be possible to compel the Railway Companies to introduce into the carriages some mode of communicating with the guards? On the Continent there was a mode of communicating with the guard, and he thought the same system might be satisfactorily introduced upon the English railways.
§ MR. MILNER GIBSON,in reply, said, it would no doubt be possible to compel Railway Companies by legislation to introduce into the carriages some mode of communicating with the guards, but he doubted the expediency of doing so. As our railways were constructed, the question was surrounded with considerable practical difficulties. Evidence had been taken upon the subject before a Committee upstairs, and the Inspectors of railways were not by any means unanimous in agreeing with each other as to the expediency of adopting a plan whereby the passengers might be enabled to communicate with the guards. At the same time, they were all agreed that it was desirable that the guards should be able to communicate with the drivers, and the Board of Trade had sent out circulars to all the Railway Companies in order to carry out that object. He was afraid, from the construction of our railways and also of our carriages, that it would not be as practicable as it might appear to be at first sight, to introduce the continental system into this country. At any rate, he did not consider it desirable to bring in a Bill to compel Railway Companies to afford the means of communication.
§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEsaid, he wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he does not intend to take any steps to remove the dangers which are consequent upon our present railway system?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONsaid, the Board of Trade had no Executive power or authority in the matter. He had no intention of introducing a Bill to compel the Railway Companies to provide means of communication.