§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the various instances which have occurred lately, notably on the Caledonian Railway at Moss End, Lanarkshire, on the 22nd instant, in which couplings of goods trains have broken, and one portion of the train has then run into the other and damage has ensued, and whether he has any official information showing that the reason of couplings breaking and trains parting, which may lead to loss of life as well as damage, is to be ascribed, as those who manipulate the trains assert, to the increase in the weight of trains and number of loaded goods waggons and vans; and whether he will give the matter his attention and consult with the principal railway companies on the subjects in order to avoid further risk to life and property.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThe Board of Trade have communicated with the Railway Company with reference to the accident referred to by the hon. Member. I shall be happy to consult the Inspecting Officers of Railways upon the general subject raised by the question.