§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade 570 whether he is aware that a collision took place on the 24th of January last at Crossgar Station, on the Belfast and bounty Down Railway, owing to two engines being allowed on the one section, contrary to the stipulated block rules and regulations; and whether there has been a Board of Trade inquiry, or any official report of this collision, or any investigation formed or otherwise into this occurrence?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. J. BRYCE, Aberdeen, S.)I have communicated with the railway company, whose general manager states that the rules for block working were properly carried out, but that the accident happened through the negligence of the driver of an empty waggon train, who overran the signals which were against him, and collided with an engine engaged in shunting a horse box. The cause of the accident appears to be quite clear, and, as at present advised, I do not propose to direct an inquiry.