HC Deb 21 May 1900 vol 83 cc736-8
MR. JEFFREYS (Hampshire, N.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that damage is done to growing crops and plantations by fires caused by sparks from railway engines; and, seeing that the existing law imposes upon railway companies the duty of adopting precautions to prevent the escape of sparks from their engines, whether any steps are taken from time to time by the Board of Trade to insure the adoption of such precautions.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)

No, Sir, the Board of Trade are not empowered to ensure the adoption of precautions. The railway companies are entitled to use locomotives, and, as I understand it, they are not liable unless guilty of negligence. Whether there is negligence or not must depend on the circumstances of each case.

MR. JEFFREYS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the Board of Trade make any inspection to see that the engines are provided with proper spark guards?

MR. RITCHIE

No, Sir. It is for the managers of railways to see that the engines and other machinery used are in compliance with the law. It is not the duty of the Board of Trade to inspect.

MR. MUNRO FERGUSON (Leith Burghs)

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether there has not been a great increase in the number of fires and in the damage done in recent years owing to the larger number of fast trains and their enhanced speed?

MR. RITCHIE

I do not see where I am to get such information. I have no doubt that the increased speed of trains adds to the possibility of fires occurring from the sparks from railway engines, but I do not see where I am to get information with regard to the increase of such accidents from that cause. I have no means of bringing pressure to bear on the railway companies, who are themselves responsible for the cost of damage resulting from negligence.

MAJOR RASCH

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of introducing fresh legislation on the subject?

MR. RITCHIE

It would really be quite impossible for me to attempt to introduce legislation in order to teach the railway companies how to carry on their ordinary traffic.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Then will the right hon. Gentleman abandon his attempt to teach fishermen how to catch fish?