§ SIR FORTESCTJE FLANNERYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is an automatic coupler which can be affixed on the spot to a train of loaded waggons about to start on its journey, which coupler at once substitutes automatic connection for manual; and whether he can state what steps are being taken by the Board of Trade to encourage railway companies towards the more usual adoption of automatic couplings.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURMy attention has been directed to several forms of coupler, automatic and non-automatic, which are said to be readily applicable to existing rolling-stock. The question of the introduction of a suitable coupler 430 is receiving the attention of leading railway companies, and experiments are being made. I cannot at present make any statement as to the action which may be taken by the Board of Trade if the companies fail to select a suitable coupler, but I can assure my hon. friend that I shall carefully watch the progress of events.