§ MR. KNOX (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that on the 31st of December, 1890, the percentage of railway on the Great Northern Rail way of Ire land worked on the absolute block system was, of the double line 14 per cent., and of the 1212 single line less than 9 per cent., being a smaller proportion than on any other considerable railway in the United Kingdom, and that only 16 additional miles-out of a total mileage of 541 were put on the absolute block system for the first time during the year 1890; whether he is aware that the usual requirements of the inspecting officers of the Board of Trade in respect of concentration of signal and point levers have on this railway only been complied with in 116 out of 473 cases; in respect of interlocking of signal and point levers in 125 out of 473 cases; and in respect of the addition of safety points in the case of goods lines and sidings in 62 out of 333 cases; what is the effect of any Orders made under Section 1 of "The Regulation of Railways Act, 1889," in respect of the block system, of interlocking, and of continuous brakes on this railway; and whether he will undertake that in case of any default in compliance with such Orders by the company, application will at once be made to the Railway and Canal Commission under Section 2 of the same Act?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe facts are substantially as stated in the hon. Member's question. The Order under the Regulation of Railways Act, 1889, requires the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) Company to complete the block system, interlocking, and continuous brakes within 18 months from the 20th November last, a period which will expire next May. The Board of Trade have issued a certificate under Section 3 of the Act, authorising the company to raise £60,220 additional capital for the purpose of complying with the Order, and the company have stated that nothing shall be wanting on their part to have this done. I can make no promise as to my action in case of default, without knowing the circumstances; but, of course, it would be my duty to see that the provisions of the Order were carried out.