MR. OHANNING (Northampton-shire, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any action has yet been taken by the Railway Companies, as a result of the recommendation of General Hutchinson last May, in his Report on a serious accident to an excursion train near Peni-stone, owing to a broken axle, to the effect that it was time for a conference of locomotive superintendents to be held, to determine how many miles axles should be allowed to run
Before being submitted to an exhaustive examination as to the existence of flaws;and, whether, if no action has been taken, the Board of Trade will, by a Circular Letter or otherwise, urge on the Companies the necessity of such a conference being held without delay?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHA letter was addressed to the Secretary of the Railway Association asking whether arrangements could be made for the conference referred to in the question. I am informed that the matter has been brought by the Railway Association before the several Railway Companies, and that steps are being taken to arrange for such a conference, which, however, cannot be conveniently held before the holidays.