MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will cause an inquiry to be made respecting the accident to a cattle train which occurred on 31st October, 1898, between the stations of Fourstones and Hexham, on the road to Newcastle; Whether he is aware that, owing to the breakage of couplings and a subsequent collision, many cattle were killed and others seriously injured, and the remainder were detained 28 hours in transit for a distance of about 60 miles; and whether the railway company made any report of this accident.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe accident referred to was not reported by the company. They were not under legal obligation to report it, and the Statute does not provide for an official 284 inquiry. I have communicated with the North-Eastern Railway Company, and the manager informs me that the uninjured cattle were placed in a field adjoining the railway, and that they were removed the morning after the accident. No person was injured.