§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the total number of coroners' inquests held upon railway servants killed by accidents in which the movement of vehicles used exclusively on railways was concerned, in the years 1895 to 1899 inclusive; in what number of such inquests the coroner has applied to the Board of Trade, under Section 8 of The Regulation of Railways Act, 1881, for a representative of the Board to act as assessor; and whether in any other, and if so how many, such inquests the Board of Trade has been represented by any of its officials to watch or take part in the proceedings.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (MR. RITCHIE, Croydon)1510 Section 8 of the Regulation of Railways Act, 1871, does not apply to Scotland or Ireland. The total number of fatal accidents in which the movement of vehicles used exclusively on railways was concerned that occurred in the five years period, 1895 to 1899, to railway servants and contractors' servants employed on railways in England and Wales was 1,869. An inquest was, no doubt, held in each case. In thirteen of these cases application was made by the coroner for a representative of the Board of Trade to act as assessor, and in twelve cases such appointment was made. In the remaining case, a sub-inspector was directed to attend the inquest and assist the coroner. In four other cases during the period referred to, an officer of the Board of Trade has attended the inquest to watch the proceedings.