§ SIR ROBERT PEELsaid, he wished to ask the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been directed by the Government Inspectors of Railways to the alarming condition of several of the arches of the viaduct spanning the Tame Valley, near Tamworth, on the Midland line of Railway, and what steps have been taken by the Board of Trade in the matter, with a view to the protection of life and property? He believed that three of the arches in the centre of the viaduct had given way.
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONsaid, in reply, that owing to the short notice that had been given him, he had been unable to look into the matter so fully as he could have wished. The portion of railway referred to was opened in 1839, before the Board of Trade had jurisdiction or the power of inspection. He was not aware, however, that any representations had been made recently by the Government inspectors, but full inquiry should be made, and he would give the House all the information he possessed.