HC Deb 09 April 1877 vol 233 cc769-70
MR. BENTINCK

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether the Government, having had in their hands for some weeks the evidence taken before the Royal Commission on Railway Accidents, is now prepared to introduce, during the present Session, any measure for the better prevention of accidents on Railways?

SIR CHARLES ADDERLEY

Sir, before deciding what legislation should be adopted in consequence of the Report of the Royal Commission on Railway Accidents, the Government have thought it desirable to confer with the railway companies as to what steps they would voluntarily take with regard to some of the principal recommendations contained in that Report. Until, therefore, the Government have learnt what course the companies will take, they are not in a position to state what legislation may be requisite. They hope, however, that good will result from the communications which are going on, and that the companies will agree together to carry out some of the suggestions of the Commission to secure greater safety to the public.