§ MR. CAREWOn behalf of the hon. Member for Dublin, St. Patrick (Mr. FIELD), I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the Great Northern Railway of Ireland, on Monday 8th February, Signalman C. Farrell was taken ill and Signalman J. Gannon, his mate, came on duty in his place at 8 a.m., although he was not due on till 4 p.m., and he was kept on constant duty from Monday 8th until Sunday 14th, day and night, without any relief; and that this has occurred more than once at Navan Junction; and, whether, in view of the passengers' safety, he will prevent its repetition?
§ MR. RITCHIEThe manager of the Great Northern of Ireland Railway telegraphs to the Board of Trade that Farrell was taken suddenly ill and his mate was called upon to take the night duty which was very light. The stationmaster believing the signalman would be well immediately did not ask for relief for a day or two, but immediately this was known relief was given for the few days. Gannon had not to work night and day, but 16½ 1592 hours. There are, as far as I can gather from the time table, only 18 trains passing in the course of the 24 hours, but 16½ hours is too long for any man to be on duty, and I shall ask the Great Northern of Ireland Company to impress upon their stationmasters the propriety of asking for relief men to supply the places of servants incapacitated by illness.