HC Deb 22 March 1894 vol 22 cc863-4
MR. CLANCY (Dublin County, N.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the Memorial recently presented to him from a considerable number of the inhabitants of Balbriggan and the surrounding district for permission to the Great Northern Railway Company of Ireland to run a passenger carriage with a goods train from Drogheda to Dublin, whether he will reconsider his refusal to grant the prayer of the Memorial referred to, in view of the fact that the company are willing to carry out the suggested arrangement, that that arrangement would involve a saving of time and money to a considerable mercantile community, and that a similar arrangement was till recently in force without any injurious consequences in the shape of railway accidents?

MR. MUNDELLA

I consulted the Railway Inspecting Officers upon the Memorial referred to by the hon. Member, and they were unanimously of opinion that it is most objectionable to attach a passenger carriage to a goods train. I am, in consequence of this advice, unwilling to take the responsibility of acceding to the prayer of the Petitioners. The Memorialists should consider whether it is not more expedient to urge the Railway Company to give additional facilities than to press the Board of Trade to revoke an Order made for the protection of the public.

MR. CLANCY

Does the right hon. Gentleman take into account the character of this railway?

MR. MUNDELLA

I can assure the hon. Gentleman we are most anxious to do everything we possibly can to meet the convenience of the inhabitants, but we look on these mixed trains as most dangerous.

MR. CLANCY

But is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the fact that no accident occurred when a similar arrangement was in force?

MR. MUNDELLA

A Paper will be laid on the Table showing accidents which have occurred under these arrangements.

MR. CLANCY

But there have been none on this line?

MR. MUNDELLA

I cannot say that.

MR. CLANCY

If none have occurred, will that alter the right hon. Gentleman's attitude?

[No answer was given.]