HC Deb 16 February 1899 vol 66 cc1109-10
MR. R. G. WEBSTER (St. Pancras)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the discomfort travellers on those metropolitan underground railways worked by steam power have to suffer owing to the prevalence of noxious gases and sulphurous coal smoke; and if the companies can be compelled, by legislation or otherwise, to mitigate this nuisance to the travelling public?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE

Yes, Sir, in 1897 I appointed a Committee to inquire into the system of ventilation of the tunnels of the Metropolitan Railway, and the report of the Committee and minutes of evidence were presented to this House in the same year (C 8684). As recently as December last, the managing director of the Metropolitan Railway informed the Board of Trade that the directors of that company, conjointly with the District Company, had secured the services of Sir J. Wolfe Barry and Mr. W. H. Preece, and instructed them to provide the necessary electric plant and appliances for the equipment of a section of the line for experimental working. I hope that these experiments may result in the adoption of some system of electric traction.

MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

Is the Sir John Wolfe Barry referred to the same as the Mr. Wolfe Barry who proposed the blow-holes?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE

I suppose there is only one Wolfe Barry, but I do not think that the fact of his having made a report in the case mentioned by the honourable Member disqualifies him from giving advice in this case.