§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether a recent invention for the construction of automatic couplings for railway trucks and similar vehicles has been brought to his notice; and whether, in view of the official returns of calamities to railway servants through coupling during the last five years, he will give his consideration to the invention in question.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralSeveral inventions of this character have recently been seen by the officers of the Board of Trade. If the one to which the hon. and gallant Member refers is fitted on a train of ordinary goods waggons, so that it can be tested in working, I will direct an Inspecting Officer of the Department to be present at the trial.