HC Deb 10 March 1899 vol 68 c447
MR. GEDGE (Walsall)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade on what expert evidence he relied as to accidents on railways and sidings in Great Britain and Ireland caused by coupling and uncoupling trucks, and as to the effect of the American system, when he introduced the Bill for the Regulation of Railways, and whether that evidence was based on oral or written reports, and who gave it; and whether he will lay upon the Table all such reports?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE

My honourable Friend invites me to take a very inconvenient course- -namely, to make a Second Reading speech in answer to a Question. I must reserve what I have to say on the matter until the Second Reading of the Bill.

MR. BAYLEY

Will the right honourable Gentleman place a model of the American couplings in the Tea-room?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE

I do not propose to exhibit any model. The Measure I have introduced into the House does not set up any coupling, American or otherwise; and I should be very sorry to become godfather to all the various inventions which are in existence in regard to couplings.

MR. COGHILL

Is the right honourable Gentleman aware that in the only place in which these couplings have been tried in this country they have been condemned in the most unqualified manner by the workmen?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE

I am not aware of anything of the kind. I am aware that yesterday I saw an entire train at the Great Central terminus fitted with the American automatic couplings.

MR. GEDGE

Can we see the reports?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE

If my honourable Friend will inform me what reports he requires I will consider the Question. I have already laid on the Table the report of the Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trade dealing with the information he obtained on his visit to America.