§ MR. M'LAREN (Cheshire, Crewe)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the four deaths which have taken place between the 17th and 21st of July, owing to persons being run over at level crossings by trains at 1212 Sittingbourne, Harecastle Junction, Ayton, near Scarborough, and Whyke Lane crossing, near Chichester; whether these deaths were all due to want of proper precautions on the part of the four Railway Companies; whether his attention has been called to the automatic electric alarm, invented by Mr. W. F. Folks, of 30, Mark Lane; and, whether he will have it examined by a Board of Trade Inspector, and if found suitable, have it recommended to these and other Railway Companies?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.), in reply, said, that the attention of the Board of Trade had been called to the deaths in question; but he was not aware whether they were all due to want of proper precaution on the part of the Railway Companies. With regard to the invention in question, it was for the Railway Companies, and not for the Board of Trade, to decide on the respective merits of inventions.