§ MR. BRUENasked the President of the Board of Trade, If any steps have been taken by the Irish Railway Companies for the adoption of continuous brakes to passenger trains; and, whether questions have been put by the Board of Trade to those Companies similar to those put to the English and Scotch Railway Companies in April, 1877; and, if so, whether he will lay the answers upon the Table of the House?
§ SIR CHARLES ADDERLEYSir, as the Irish railway companies are not parties to the Railway Companies' Association, the queries contained in the Board of Trade Letter of the 21st of April last were not sent to them; but the circular to all railway companies of last August on the same matter, laying down the requirements which the Board of Trade considered essential with regard 1295 to brakes, was sent to the Irish railway companies, as well as the English and Scotch. Only one reply has been received, that of the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland. I am pressing the other Irish companies for replies, and will shortly report to the House on the subject.