§ MR. WOODS (Essex, Walthamstow)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the recent removal of the timekeeper's office at which the Great Western Railway goods guards have to sign on and off duty at Pontypool Road to another position; and, seeing that the yard is an extensive one, containing many miles of sidings, and that since the removal of the office to its present site all the men, numbering about 100, have to cross several junctions and sidings every time they visit the office, and frequently to creep under wagons, and that the men concerned have several times protested against the removal of the office to such a position (which protests have been ignored by the company), and that already many men have had escapes of injuries, is it possible for him to make such representations to the company as to cause the office to be removed to a less dangerous position.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)I am informed by the Great Western Railway Company that some eight months ago the office in question was removed to a more convenient position in the yard. The company have explained the circumstances under which the change was made in a letter which I shall be very happy to show to the hon. Member. They do not admit that the alteration involves any increase in danger to the men.