§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has learned that, on the night of Saturday, the 15th instant, in consequence of the breaking of the crank of the driving wheel of the engine of the limited mail from Belfast to Dublin the train was transferred to and proceeded upon the down line, and that a collision with a passenger train from Dublin was narrowly escaped, the engines having been brought to a standstill only when they were within 20 yards of each other; if he will inquire whether this danger to life could have been obviated by the use of the "block system": and what action the Board propose to take in reference to the case?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I have caused inquiries to be made in consequence of the question of the hon. Member. The facts appear to be as stated, except that the drivers of the two approaching trains, having been warned to keep a look-out, brought their respective trains to a stand-still when 50 yards from each other. The directors attribute the occurrence to a grave error in single line working on the part of one of their officers, and are not of opinion that the block system would have prevented the occurrence. In deciding upon the Order to be issued to the company under the Regulation of Railways Act, 1889, the Board of Trade wall bear in mind the facts of the present case.