§ MR. JEFFREYS (Hampshire, N.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that a large acreage of growing crops and plantations are annually destroyed by fires caused by sparks from railway engines, for which no 1107 compensation can be obtained by the farmers from the railway companies, while road traction engines are liable for any damage thus caused; and whether he can give facilities for the discussion of the short Bill now before the House to place railway engines and road locomotives on an equal footing in this respect, and to make railway companies responsible for the damage thus caused.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy right hon. friend the President of the Board of Agriculture has no detailed information as to the question of damage done to crops and plantations by sparks from railway locomotives. But it does appear to me, as my hon. friend suggests, that there is a curious discrepancy between the law which applies to road locomotives and that which applies to railway engines, one being liable and the other not.
§ MR. JEFFREYSMy right hon. friend has not said whether he will give me facilities for getting a small Bill through with regard to this matter.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI hoped my hon. friend would probably be able to conjecture what fate must befall questions addressed to the Leader of the House asking for such facilities.
§ SIR BLUNDELL MAPLEIs it not the fact that the railways are still responsible for damage done, seeing that no rule has been laid down exempting them from liability?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURPerhaps my hon. friend will put that question on the Paper. It relates to a matter on which I must take legal advice.