§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Report of Sub-Inspectors of Railways on Accidents recently issued shows that on the 30th June last a goods guard employed on the North British Railway was injured while engaged in tow-roping at Ayton railway station; and will he take steps for the discontinuance of tow-roping at this station.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThe Report in question was made to the Board of Trade and considered by them. In forwarding it to the railway company concerned, the Board invited their observations upon the sun-inspector's recommendation that means should be adopted to put an end to tow-roping and similar methods of working. The company replied that they did not see their way to take this action. The Board pressed the matter upon the further attention of the company, who, however, refuse to admit the necessity of the alteration recommended, and state that the traffic at this place is very limited in amount. The Board must therefore leave the railway company to consider their position under the Prevention of Accidents Rule recently made, which provides that after the 8th of August next tow-roping shall not be allowed except in
†See (3)Debates,cxxxi.,p.633.505 cases where no other reasonably practical means can be provided for dealing with the traffic.