§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the inquest on the death of Stephen Gurr, a platelayer, in the employ of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company, whilst fog-signalling, on the evening of 1st of January, at Norwood Junction; whether the evidence showed that Gurr went on duty at 7 a.m. on Monday, 31st December, went off at 5 p.m., was sent on duty again at 7.30 p.m., remained on duty till 7 a.m. on Tuesday, 1st January, went on duty again at 1 p.m., having only had 6 hours off duty after having been on duty 21 ½ hours out of the preceding 24; and, whether any inquiry has been held by the Board of Trade, or any representation made to the Company by the Board of Trade, that such excessive hours of labour involve the greatest danger to the fog-men, and also to the trains, and that it is their duty to provide a larger staff for fog-signalling, and relieve the fog-men more frequently?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.My attention has been called to the accident to Stephen Gurr, referred to, and the hours for which the unfortunate man had been on duty are undoubtedly very long. A correspondence 1629 has taken place between the Board of Trade and the Company.
§ MR. CHANNINGWill the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table the correspondence on the subject between the Board of Trade and the Railway Company?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHYes.
§ MR. CHANNINGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to lay on the Table any assurances which may have been given by the railway company as to their future action on the subject?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThat hardly arises out of my answer, but I will consider the matter.