§ MAJOR WALKERasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether it is the case that, on Monday, April 29th, when, owing to an accident to the engine, the up express train on the Great Western Railway broke down and was detained for a considerable time in the centre of the Box Tunnel, the second-class carriages were unprovided with lights?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, in reply, that in consequence of the hon. Member's Question he had inquired from the Company, and found that an accident did occur in the Box Tunnel owing to the breaking of the piston-rod of the engine, and the Board of Trade were informed that on that occasion there were no lights in the second-class carriages attached to the train. He might mention that this part of the Great Western Railway was worked on the block system. No proceedings could be taken by the Board of Trade as to the absence of lights in the carriages, there being no Act of Parliament which gave the Department power to do so.