§ MR. F. A. CHANNINGI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the number of railway servants killed by accidents in which the movement of vehicles used exclusively on railways was concerned, from the date at which the sub-inspectors of railways fully entered on their duties; what number of such fatal accidents have been investigated by inspectors of the Board of Trade, and in how many such instances the local inquiry has been made my one of the sub-inspectors; and in what form the reports and recommendations of the sub-inspectors will be laid before Parliament?
§ MR. BRYCESince sub-inspectors entered on their duties, 148 railway servants have been killed by accidents in which the movement of vehicles was concerned, exclusive of train accidents. Twelve fatal accidents have been locally investigated by sub-inspectors. My hon. Friend will, no doubt, recollect that in fatal cases the law provides for an inquiry by the Coroner, and it is only where the Coroner's Return discloses an exceptional state of circumstances— namely, circumstances which call for special investigation—that the Board of Trade think it right to hold a fresh inquiry. If a Coroner asks the Board for the assistance of an inspector or sub-inspector at an inquest, the Board are always prepared to favourably consider the application. A Report dealing with the work of the sub-inspectors shall be laid before Parliament, but the Board of Trade have not yet determined what form it shall take.